It’s been a while since I published anything. I’ve been getting out, but good birds have been scarce, and I’ve been a bit lazy.
The Trumpeter Swans are around, and they may nest again this year, so I’ll stay on top of that.
Great Blue Herons are checking out the heronry, and that may be fruitful again this year.
There’s a real shortage of good ducks, but it’s been so warm, who can blame them?
Trumpeter Swans at Jonas Green Park.
It’s that time of year when good birds are few and far between, but each day brings the promise of new arrivals from the north.
I started out at Jonas Green Park, in the pond adjacent to the entrance. After spotting a few Gadwalls and Hoodies, I suddenly realized there two huge Trumpeter Swans in the rear of the pond. They haven’t been in this pond since Spring, as far as I know. They had three cygnets up in Woolchurch Pond, so I wonder if they’re preparing to leave for the season.
In any event, I’ve been here before, so I suspected what was coming. In just a few minutes they had gathered on the West end of the pond to get the most room, then they pattered noisily across the water until they were airborne, and I was in position to get most of it. A great way to start the day.
Gadwalls at Jonas Green Park.
It’s been a pretty birdy three weeks since I posted. Warblers have continued in decent numbers, and kinglets, cuckoos, hawks and waterfowl have added to the numbers. We did have a three day spell of rain, which seems to have irritated my mild arthritis greatly. Most unpleasant for a day or so.
I got to CBEC a few times, and it’s starting to pick up, with the arrival of a few nice ducks. I may have seen some high flying Tundra Swans, but it was only a quick glance at some high flying birds and I haven’t logged the sighting.
Cape May Warbler at Greenbury Point.
I’ve been spending more time at Greenbury Point this year than previously. I’ve done reasonably well, and I think I’ve underestimated the potential of this area. Even at its busiest, this government nature preserve is relatively serene and peaceful. There’s still far too many dog walkers with dogs off leash, but that may be improving.
I’m doing well with warblers and other migrants, and several people seem to have stopped by based on my MD Birding posts. There will be migrant traffic well into October, so I may see some more interesting birds.
Ovenbird at Greenbury Point.
I’ve been getting to Greenbury Point most days, with the occasional visit to the Trumpeter Swans, CBEC, Jonas Green Park and another day at Bombay Hook. The Trumpeter Swan has “Angel Wing”, a debilitating illness that will likely shorten his life if he’s not rescued. I expect to know more soon.
Greenbury Point has been fruitful most days, bringing many migrating birds like Orioles, Vireo and Warblers. We had as many as 20 species in one day.
CBEC is showing significant mud, meaning many more shorebirds are visiting, and offering the possibility of interesting photo opps. Bombay Hook was Bombay Hook near its best. We haven’t found the cool sandpipers yet, but we got another Virginia Rail.
I’m featuring the Ovenbird because I don’t see many, and it’s a decent image.
White Ibises at Bombay Hook.
Lifer! Graeme and I went to Bombay Hook NWR a few days ago. We were nearly overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of birds we saw. Small shorebirds had to be a thousand or more, and Egrets were in several tightly packed bunches. I forget what I put in Ebird, so I’ll attach the list.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S117205126
We mis id’d the Ibis, thinking they were Glossies at first. My excuse is I’d never seen one before. They posed nicely.
Eagles, Terns and Gulls were also numerous. We certainly had a good morning, one of our best.
How many egrets do you see?
Blue Winged Warbler at Greenbury Point.
Fall migration is definitely underway. The Blue Winged Warbler was a real treat, but there’s been a moderate trickle of Flycatchers, Gnatcatchers, Orioles and Kingbirds as well. Greenbury Point has been very productive this year.
The Trumpeter Swans continue to do well. The cygnet seems to get bigger every day.
I had cataract surgery on my right eye today. They say I’ll be able to see colors better when they finish next month.
Yellow Warbler at Greenbury Point
I’ve heard for years there were Yellow Warblers at Greenbury Point, but this is the first time I’ve found one. I was actually unsure what it was for a moment.
I’m still maintaining the usual routine, but I managed a trip to Bombay hook with Graeme, and a couple of trips to CBEC, which is starting to pick up a little.
The Trumpeter Swans are doing well. They seem to spend all their time preening and feeding and presumably sleeping. The book says they feed in the dark, also.
A few other birds have showed up, but this is typically the slowest time of year.
Don’t miss the Trumpeter videos.
Orchard Orioles at Greenbury Point.
The current routine includes a visit to Woolchurch Pond where the Trumpeter Swans are, then Greenbury/Possum Points, Jonas Green and sometimes Quiet Waters. I’ll get to the Eastern shore soon, but gas prices are slowing me down.
The swans are doing well, and the remaining cygnet is growing rapidly.
Some birds, such as Orioles and Cuckoos, seem to be dispersing after nesting, others are less active now.
Sandhill Cranes at Bombay Hook NWR.
Graeme and I went to Bombay Hook yesterday and had our most successful trip yet. I also got a Virginia Rail (Lifer).
Black Skimmers, Terns, Egrets, a Common Yellowthroat, Eagles, Night Herons and others had us busy snapping photos for several hours. My count was over 1900 photos, the most ever.
There were plenty of flies, and it was getting very hot by 0930. Graeme has some hydrocortisone cream which was very effective for the insect bites.