Bombay Hook NWR

Yesterday was only the fifth sunny day in the Philadelphia area during February. We took full advantage and went early morning to Bombay Hook NWR near Smyrna, Delaware. The refuge during winter in a prime location for observing wintering waterfowl, and there were abundant numbers in attendance.

But the highlight of this preview-of-Spring day was two songbirds.

In fresh Spring plumage, Tufted Titmice were enthusiastically singing. Actually, their singing was vocal dueling. The ladies were nearby watching, listening, and assessing.

Tufted Titmouse

The second songbird highlight was the Yellow-rumped Warbler. They were not yet singing, but they showed clear signs that song fests are not far off - they were well along in their molt to breeding plumage, as this individual will testify. His yellow cap and sides are much more brilliant than in winter plumage, but the black and white of his body is not quite as crisp as it will be when he makes his way north.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Among the waterfowl, I was especially pleased at the number of Tundra Swans. I counted upwards of 80 in the various pools. I usually see them along the mid-Atlantic coast during winter, but rarely in the numbers I saw yesterday.

Tundra Swans (Shovelers in foreground)

All of the usual puddle ducks, and a few diving ducks, were present, and the drakes were brilliant in fresh breeding plumage.

Northern Shovelers

Northern Shovelers

Northern Pintails

Ring-necked Duck

Can you identify these dabblers?

 And finally ... this first year Great Blue Heron has yet to achieve the resplendent plumage of a breeding adult, but he/she survived its first winter.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

The day ended with 40+ species. Not too bad for late winter birding.

Birding in DC

No winter birding trip this year.

Spent 4 days last weekend in Washington DC, with coincidental birding during long walks each day around the National Mall, with a species tally somewhere around 25.

(I had my "walk-around" lens (16-300mm) which is adequate for landscape and cityscape, but not that great for birds.)

Most entertaining sighting was a Red-tailed Hawk being mobbed by American Crows.

Red-tailed Hawk being mobbed by crows

"Enough, already!!"

 The best surprise was a fast fly-by of a Peregrine Falcon, and the Northern Shovelers and Ring-necked Ducks on the pond by Constitution Gardens.

Northern Shovelers with Canada Geese

Ring-necked Ducks

 A few other birds which sort-of  posed for a photo ...

Ring-billed Gull

Northern Mockingbird

Double-crested Cormorant

 On the first day, I thought my birding might be limited to the Snow Geese on display in the "Castle" of the Smithsonian.

Snow Goose in Smithsonian display

Waterfowl at Heinz

A few days ago we did the circuit stroll at Heinz NWR in Philadelphia (the first urban wildlife refuge).

The eagles were on or near their nest, and soon will be incubating.

In the impoundment, plenty of waterfowl. A skim of ice on the water did not effect the birds as they landed, although they were clearly cautious as they landed. In preparation for the breeding season, the drakes were in their best attire. A few samples from the day.

Green-winged Teal

Green-winged Teal

Green-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler (hen)

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler (drake and hen)

Canada Geese

Canada Geese

Mallards

Mallards

Good Birding!!

Christmas Count around Brattleboro

The Brattleboro Area Christmas Bird Count was held on December 19 (takes me a while to get caught up with things).

Richard Foye and I again did the Dummerston route. Our highlight was a Northern Shrike, the only one seen in the Brattleboro area this year. Great look, but took off almost as soon as the camera came out, so only so-so documentation.

Northern Shrike in Dummerston

Highlight of he entire count and within our route area was a Townsends Solitaire, a western species decidedly out of range. It was first spotted in early December by Cate Abbott at her home at the end of a remote dirt road in a remote part of Dummerston. Richard and I were unable to find her property on count day, but she saw it two days prior (just before flying off somewhere for the holidays) and in the count week, so it counts. This was the 4th record for Vermont. The remoteness of the location where it was seen suggests to me that there are probably a lot of other rarities lurking in the sparsely settled regions of Vermont that go unseen and unreported.

Townsend's Solitaire in Dummerston. Photo by Cate Abbot

Finally, after a day in the field, we all gather at Hollie Bowen's home for the compilation potluck. Most of the counters clean up pretty nicely for the evening affair .

Yours truly with Richard Foye (r)

Good Birding!

A few more from Cape Ann last week

Andrews and Hallibut point were good spots for large rafts of eiders and  Harlequin Ducks. Also saw a couple of Northern Gannets, and Red-throated Loons. Missed finding Purple Sandpipers, but a few Sanderlings were sleeping on the rocks.

Harlequin Ducks

Harlequin Dcuks and Common Eider (hen)

Rose thrips

Sanderlings

Sanderlings

And finally ... scene from Sandy Point on Plum Island. I had hoped for raptors and owls in the late afternoon. Had some reports, but except for a Red-tailed and harrier, they were not flying when I went by.

But I also love the bleak beauty of coastal dunes ...

Good Birding!

Cape Ann this week

Some additional images from this week's day trip to Cape Ann, Massachusetts.

Common Eider (drake)

Hedrring Gull

Common Eider (1st winter drake)

Rocky Neck

Common Loon (Adult non-breeding)

And finally ... probably my favorite photo of the day ...ds

Herring Gull

Good birding!

Courting Waterfowl - Buffleheads

Buffleheads are one of our smallest ducks. Their general appearance and demeanor suggests sweetness. Don't be deceived. When it comes to the all important task of transmitting genes, the boys are as aggressive as any in trying to impress the girls and intimidate the other boys. Often multiple boys will be trying to impress and win over one girl in what we would call in human terms as sexual harassment.

She's mine - get away!

And stay away!

Guess I told him. Aren't I something, beautiful lady!

He's back! Didn't get the message.

Get away, already!

And this final photo seems to show one guy gloating over his victory while his rival dives for safety. However, I prefer the caption, coming from the guy on the left: "Well, kiss my a**!"

Courting Waterfowl - Red-breasted Merganser

I finally got to the Massachusetts coast for a day of birding around Cape Ann. Highlight was definitely the courting Red-breasted Mergansers and Buffleheads. (Also saw some Common Goldeneyes, but they were at a distance.) Waterfowl do their pairing on wintering grounds, for the most part, but the girls seems finicky; I have seen it throughout the winter months. Nevertheless, fun to watch.

First the Red-breasted Mergansers, who occasionally seemed paired, but don't believe it. The boys are all busy boasting their prowess.

Add caption

Nest post in a couple of days with the Bufflehead antics. Good birding.