After two months in Philadelphia, we finally got a good day for driving to, and birding, some of the prime nearby place. We made an early morning drive to Forsyth NWR, Brigantine unit. Good birding, and a few decent photographic opportunities.
Highlight undoubtedly was the number of
Osprey setting up housekeeping for another summer. I never remember to begin an actual count until I am well along, so I have to estimate that we saw at least 15-20 Osprey ...
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| Osprey |
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| Male Osprey off to forage and prove he can provide for her chicks. |
Tree Swallows return early, but Barn Swallows were also present today, and
Purple Martins were staking claim to nesting sites ...
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| Purple Martin |
The large wintering flocks of waterfowl have, for the most part, gone north, but there were still good numbers present. A sampling ...
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| Hooded Mergansers - female |
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| Brandt |
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| Green-winged Teal |
Among the returning songbirds, I was most delighted by the
Black-and-White Warbler, a forerunner of the warblers that make our eastern states the envy of the world ...
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| Black-and-White Warbler |
And finally, closer to our Philadelphia home in the last week, highlights include
Rusty Blackbird at Heinz NRW ...
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| Rusty Blackbird |
... and up to 25
Wood Ducks along the Wissahickon Creek.
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| Wood Duck |
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| Wood Duck |
Good Birding!!
