Wild Turkey at Bombay Hook NWR.

Posted on April 27, 2021 by Hugh

Graeme and I left early yesterday to head to Bombay Hook. Graeme suggested a heavier jacket, and I was glad, later. It was unusually cold and windy.

I saw my first Wild turkey tom, which was cool. Now I want to see one display.

There was the usual cast of hundreds of wading birds, including Avocets and Stilts, but the star was the huge flock of Dunlins who just kept coming and coming.

All in all, we had a good day.

Sunrise at Bombay Hook.

I don’t often see Willets.

This Barn Swallow was eating gravel (Alongside the Tree Swallows) at Bombay Hook.

Many Great Egrets were in the marsh pools.

A few Forster’s Terns were feeding in the shallows.

Mute the poor quality audio

Many thousands of Dunlin were resting and feeding.

It’s always fun to watch the American Avocets forage in the marsh.

Greater Yellowlegs were few in number.

Many hundreds of Red Winged Blackbirds are nesting in the marsh.

We saw only a few Black Necked Stilts

Tree Swallows are nesting all over the refuge.

The Purple Martin Colony was fully occupied.

Great Blue Heron at Quiet Waters.

Posted on April 27, 2021 by Hugh

Yet another slow week. The Trumpeter Swans seem to have left, but the Spring migrants are not here in any numbers yet. I’ve heard this from others as well.

Greenbury and Quiet Waters have been very slow. I’ve seen a few Great Egrets, Green Herons, Chipping Sparrows and a Yellow Rumped Warbler, but that’s it for visitors.

Wood Ducks and Ospreys are cooperating, and I’m off soon to Bombay Hook.

The reflecting Pool at Quiet Waters.

These Canada Geese are at Jonas Green Park.

I did some planning to get these Trumpeter Swans in flight. I was lucky, as this was the last time I saw them.

This Pileated Woodpecker was very active at Jonas Green Park. First time I’ve seen one there.

A few Chipping Sparrows have arrived.

Red Winged Blackbirds are singing in every marsh.

This Bald Eagle flew overhead at Quiet Waters.

I’m seeing nesting Ospreys everywhere I go.

Several Chipping Sparrows have appeared.

This Great Blue Heron was fishing at Quiet Waters.

Follow The Trumpeter Swans!

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Hugh

Where should I go to maximize my opportunities? I certainly have access to plenty of information. Facebook, Google and Ebird have pretty much got it covered, but it’s still a crapshoot. I say this because I stopped at Beach Road, which is just a short distance from Jonas Green as the Swan flies, and found two Trumpeter Swans foraging near shore. I was able to get quite close by doing some serious hiking to get to the far side of the pond. It was cool to watch these giant birds calmly tipping, paddling and feeding. Are they the same birds as at Jonas Green?

No doubt I should vary my efforts more, but I also want to keep track of the Trumpeters. The Trumpeter Swan Society says these birds are juveniles and are probably not going to breed for several more years, so there’s no urgency on that front.

OTOH, I went to CBEC yesterday and it was largely a waste of time. Yet another Spring when the warblers elude me.

The song of the Red Winged Blackbird fills the air in every MD marsh.

Ospreys are busy fishing and building nests.

Another year looking for the perfect Tree Swallow image.

This Canada Goose has an early brood of goslings.

Another pair of swans, or the same birds as at Jonas Green? Can’t say yet.

Wood Ducks Everywhere!

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Hugh

Well, not quite, but I am seeing more Wood Ducks than usual. I used to get them at Artemesia, but it was getting quite crowded during the pandemic, so I haven’t been there in a while. Jonas Green has been a good new source. I’m seeing Gadwalls and Trumpeter Swans there as well.

Greenbury and Possum Points have been very slow except for Ospreys. A couple of trips to Truxtun Park have been a waste. Warblers soon come.

South River from Quiet Waters.

Dawn at Possum Point.

Look closely to see the Heron in her nest.

This Great Blue Heron is nesting about 50 feet off the ground near the pond.

This Osprey nest at Truxtun Park has been occupied for many years.

I’m not sure how many Gadwalls are in the pond. They tend to be quiet.

I’m not sure how many Gadwalls are in the pond. They tend to be quiet.

Several Canada Geese are nesting in the pond.

Two Trumpeter Swans have been hanging out for two weeks. Will they make a nest?

Trumpeter Swans seem to be nearly indifferent to human presence.

4 or more pairs of Geese are nesting at Jonas Green.

The Trumpeter Swans came too close to the Canada Goose’s nest, the Goose attacked, the Swan counter-attacked. Lots of splashing, no damage.

White Throated Sparrows are always among the last to migrate.

I heard some nearby Crows mobbing something, and looked up to see this Red Tailed Hawk, who soon fled.

Every Green dumpster seems to have a flock of Black Vultures.

I was hoping this Bluebird would land in a colorful tree, and I got my wish.

I’m seeing more Wood Ducks than usual.

Trumpeter Swans at Jonas Green Park.

Posted on April 10, 2021 by Hugh

I was surprised to see the pair of Trumpeter Swans had returned to the pond at Jonas Green Park. I assumed they were heading North to breed, but I was wrong. Will they stay?

Lots of stuff in that pond, including swallows, ducks and herons. I even saw a beaver.

I also spent some time at Quiet Waters, which is looking good these days, and some birds are starting to appear. Nothing great yet, but it’s early days.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

A Trumpeter’s wingspan may reach 8 feet.

Wood Ducks seem to be active everywhere.

I found this Mallard at Quiet Waters.

8-10 Canada Geese seem to be residents of the pond.

Some Canada Geese will remain with us through the summer.

I’ve seen 10 Ospreys at Possum Point.

My Eastern Screech Owl may have moved to a new tree.

This Cardinal is at Quiet Waters.

My first Great Egret of the season.

This Cardinal, and all his mates, sing constantly at this time of year.

he Great Blue Herons are still on their nest. She may be incubating.

2 Great Blue Herons are nesting near the pond.

Ospreys have been nesting on the ballfield lights at Truxtun Park for many years.

Wood Ducks at Quiet Waters.

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Hugh

The weather has been decent, and it’s warming, so we should be seeing some interesting migrants soon. I’ve had some crap warblers seasons in the past, but not this year!

I’m not seeing much different yet. More Ospreys have arrived, and all the Sea Ducks and Swans are gone. I did see some Mergansers, but only a few.

Wood Ducks have become regulars at Quiet Waters, and I’ve found them at Jonas Green and CBEC as well. Others have seen a few warblers in the area, so we’re in for a treat soon.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

This Song Sparrow posed at Jonas Green Park.

Another look at the Heronry.

I don’t recall seeing an American Coot at Jonas Green before.

The sound of Cardinals is everywhere.

Canada Goose in the morning light.

Ospreys seem to mate often early in the season.

Tree Swallows are still arriving at CBEC.

The Eastern Bluebird seems omnipresent also.

My Eastern Screech Owl is still posing occasionally.

This Osprey was fishing at Quiet Waters.

A young Bald Eagle.

I spooked this Wood Duck, but got the shot anyway.

Heronry at Jonas Green Park.

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Hugh

I got my first vaccine shot, and the second is scheduled for a couple of weeks from now. It will be a relief to have that over with.

I’ve gotten to Possum Point, Greenbury Point, Quiet Waters, Truxtun Park and CBEC in the last week. There weren’t any spectacular finds, but the Ospreys have arrived and the weather is (Mostly) warmer. A couple of Trumpeter Swans broke the monotony.

The Heronry is the one I found last year as the pandemic started and didn’t get to observe. I may get a better chance this year.