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Later

Sparrows at Quiet Waters Park.

Posted on December 21, 2020 by Hugh

Where are the ducks? So far I’ve seen two Ruddys, one Long Tailed, a handful of Scaup, and no Goldeneyes. This seems later than usual.

I’m still hanging out at Quiet Waters to avoid the crowds, but I may get over to the Eastern Shore in a day or two. I tried Truxtun Park a couple of days ago, with no luck.

I’ve been wandering around the park a bit, and it’s paying off in Sparrows and Siskins. It seems as though there’s a large group of small birds that wander the park in search of food, and there may be some cool birds among them. So far I’ve found Siskins, Chipping Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows. The light has been a sucky, cloudy gray, so far, but better weather is coming. Are there Crossbills, Redpolls and Grosbeaks to be found?

Chipping Sparrows seem to be year round residents.

This is the first Savannah Sparrow I’ve seen at the park. I initially thought it was a Song Sparrow.

White Throated Sparrows are abundant.

This Pine Siskin seemed to be scratching in the gravel, seeking rocks for its gizzard, perhaps? I’ve seen this often in small birds,

When I found this Pine Siskin in the gray, cloudy morning light I thought it was a House Finch. I haven’t seen Siskins in a month, so it was a surprise. This flock may have been quite large.

Listen, and You’ll hear Carolina Chickadees

White Breasted Nuthatches are handsome and fun to watch.

Goldfinches seem to be doing well.

I found this single Ruddy Duck at Thomas Point. Some years there are hundreds at Quiet Waters.

Redhead at Thomas Point.

Posted on December 13, 2020 by Hugh

It’s been a very sparse December so far. I’m staying in the immediate area to avoid crowds, which includes some decent birding spots, but the unusually warm weather is slowing the influx of Winter birds (I think). It’s been very cold years that have brought the best birds.

Sandy Point has been quite barren so far, and Thomas Point hasn’t been much better, Greenbury Point, Possum Point and Jonas Green Park have yet to yield anything interesting, but that may change soon. I did find some distant Scoters and a Loon, but too far out for pics. I’m not crossing the bridge much yet.

This Mallard hen is stretching’s her wings.

An unusual shot, with the Bufflehead’s head under water.

Canvasbacks are just arriving in numbers.

Redheads are very striking.

There seems to be more Buffleheads than usual this year,

A few Lesser Scaup have arrived.

Black Ducks are not numerous, but there’s always a few.

It’s been a good year for Tundra Swans so far.

Tundra Swans at Thomas Point.

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Hugh

When I started this blog in 2012, I found a collared Tundra Swan at Hillsmere Beach,. not far from here. She’s hanging out near Thomas Point, now, and I’ve photographed her in previous years. You never know how well a given bird will fare in the wild, so it’s always a mild relief to see she’s made it another year. “She”, because the locals who feed her have nicknamed her “Julia”.

In the last week or so I’ve stayed very local to avoid crowds and keep costs down. The USA is experiencing a large surge, and I suspect obeying the rules is the right way to go.

So, it’s mostly passerines because the ducks are just starting to get here. I’ve been hanging out near the feeders, as there’s not much else going on yet.

Even the ubiquitous Song Sparrow looks good in the right setting.

You can’t help but smile as you watch a White Breasted Nuthatch feed.

This Cardinal seems especially bright.

Several Downy Woodpeckers show up at the feeders.

I found this Blue Jay near Thomas Point.

There seems to be more Bufflehead than usual this year.

40-50 Tundra Swans are wintering along Thomas Point Road.

Canvasbacks are just starting to arrive.

This Bluebird appears to be freshly molted.

The song of the Chickadee always announces their presence.

Dark Eyed Juncos are shy.

I found this Yellow Rumped Warbler at CBEC.

Several Black Scoters are feeding at Thomas Point.

I’ve found several Hooded Mergansers.

This Gadwall was at Jonas Green Park.

Many Canada Geese are still in the area.

This is Julia, the collared Tundra Swan.

White Crowned Sparrow at Quiet Waters.

Posted on November 21, 2020 by Hugh

I’m still doing feeder watch at Quiet Waters. We’ve got a virus surge going on, and it’s not usually crowded, especially during the week.

I’m seeing the same birds as a few days ago. I did see a large (25) flock of Goldfinches once, and a flyover Bald Eagle and Great Blue Heron, and a few Buffleheads, but the winter ducks just aren’t here yet. I’ll be getting to Thomas Point soon, but the potholes are too numerous right now. Repairs are scheduled.

We’re getting really warm weather, which is probably messing with the birds’ instincts, so it might get interesting.

This year’s irruption of Pine Siskins has been good to me. I last saw one 6-7 years ago.

There’s probably 6-8 Tufted Titmice hanging out near the feeder.

Several White Throated Sparrows are living in a nearby bush.

A juvenile White-crowned Sparrow is also sharing the bush. It’s possible there’s only one of these guys.

A Song Sparrow is also sharing the nearby bush. One advantage of birding the same spot for a time is that you can get to see who’s who and who’s where.

I’ve spent some effort trying to get good shots of the White Breasted Nuthatches.

Feeder birds allow for closeups, sometimes.

Downy Woodpeckers often appear to be fearless.

A Red Bellied Woodpecker has been visiting.

I’ve heard Bluebirds in the area often but they don’t usually get this close.

I’ve seen only a few House Finches.

A pair of Cowbirds visited briefly.

Several Crows were present when I arrived, and I was able to get fairly close.

This Carolina Wren has been consistently silent.

Several Chickadees are regular visitors.

White Breasted Nuthatch at Quiet Waters Park.

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Hugh

I last posted about a week ago. The weather has been good enough, and I found a few decent birds, so it was a good week. One interesting thing about the pandemic is that many of my favorite spots are seeing a lot more traffic. Not a big problem so far.

Siskins and Nuthatches are still around. Otherwise, it’s just the regulars, although a few Tundra Swans have arrived. No decent images yet. It was way windy today, and the swans were somewhat distant.

I’m still staking out the feeder after checking for ducks, who should be in the area soon.

A few Cardinals came and went.

A very striking Cardinal. If you can find a good place to stand, you can get some awesome close ups at a feeder.

Another closeup. Tufted Titmouse.

Downy Woodpeckers are attracted to feeders.

This Red Bellied Woodpecker stayed in the area, but I didn’t see him at the feeder.

White Throated Sparrows seem to feed only on the ground.

Carolina Wrens are not particularly timid.

Bluebirds will come to a feeder if you have mealworms.

A few House Finches are in the area.

This Red Breasted Nuthatch was by himself.

How long will the Pine Siskins stay around?

A Goldfinch and a Siskin share a moment.

This Yellow Rumped Warbler was at Sandy Point.

I expect to start seeing more Dark Eyed Juncos soon.

A Starling in good light can be attractive.

This late Great Egret was at CBEC.

It’s always a treat to see these handsome birds forage upside down.

Pine Siskins at Quiet Waters Park.

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Hugh

It’s that slow time of year again, when the ducks haven’t arrived and Fall migration is about over. People are finding a few good birds, but mostly it’s just the regulars. I’ve been hanging out at Sandy Point, Quiet Waters and Greenbury Point. I made a single stop at Thomas Point, where the road is badly in need of repair.

Thankfully, we’re in the midst of an irruption of Siskins RB Nuthatches and Evening Grosbeaks. I got the QW ranger to fill up their feeder (They lost their regular feeder filler) and it seemed like only minutes until the first Siskins showed up. Lots of Goldfinches, Titmice, Chickadees and a Red Breasted Nuthatch were eating as well.

So, I’ve of lots of feeder images, and images of birds approaching the feeder so the feeders don’t always show in the picture. It alway feels a little like cheating to stake out a feeder, but I did get a few good pictures.

White Breasted Nuthatches also like feeders.

White Breasted Nuthatches will readily come to a feeder.

Small flocks of Pine Siskins can empty a feeder very quickly..

These Buffleheads were near Thomas Point.

Two Tundra Swans have arrived for the Winter.

This Carolina Wren seems to have a fresh coat of feathers.

This Carolina Wren landed quite close to me.

Carolina Chickadees can always be found by their song.

Many Tufted Titmice were using the feeder.

This Carolina Wren seems to have a fresh coat of feathers.

Downy Woodpeckers will readily come to feeders.

A single Red Breasted Nuthatch showed up this morning.

Dark Eyed Juncos were foraging on the ground.

Only a few Cardinals seem to visit this feeder.

House Finch at Greenbury Point.

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Hugh

It’s that slow time of year again, when the ducks haven’t arrived and migration is winding down. There’s an irruption of Siskins and Grosbeaks in the area, but I haven’t seen anything yet.

I’ve been doing the same rounds-Sandy Point, Possum Point, Jonas Green, Quiet Waters, with a single trip to Truxtun Park . I’m planning to give Artemesia a try tomorrow. I’ve been avoiding it as it was getting too crowded, so we’ll see what happens.

No really cool birds this week, just a trickle of the regulars. I’d say the Royal Terns were my favorites.

Walk outside anywhere in MD and you may hear a Carolina Wren.

Carolina Wren on the feeder at Quiet Waters.

Gadwall at Jonas Green Park.

Song Sparrow, also at Jonas Green.

Downy Woodpecker, Jonas Green Park.

House Sparrow. There are many at Jonas Green.

This House Finch lives at Greenbury Point.

A single Yellow Rumped Warbler at Greenbury Point.

Fall Goldfinch.

One of the many Turkey Vultures that patrol our skies.

Colorful Fall Cardinal.

Many Chipping Sparrows live in the foliage along the trail.

Eastern Bluebirds are becoming more numerous.

I’ve seen a couple of Horned Grebes this week.

Song Sparrows are the most common Sparrow I see.

Several Tuftef Titmice posed for me.

A Ring Billed Gull from Sandy point.

A Double Crested Cormorant takes off.

A few Ruby Crowned Kinglets are still around.

A few Royal Terns are hanging out at Sandy Point.

This Red Breasted Nuthatch was at Greenbury Point.

White Winged Scoter at Sandy Point State Park.

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Hugh

It’s been another relatively slow two weeks. I’ve continued visiting Greenbury Point and other local places, which have been getting noticeably crowded. The weather has held, but migrants have been hard to find. Palm Warblers and Kinglets were the most numerous.

I’ve managed to get out almost every day, and I added Amberly and Sandy Point to the rota. Sandy Point has been largeley disappointing, but the Scoter is cool.

I may go to CBEC tomorrow, as I’ve heard there are some good finds available there.

This Downy Woodpecker was feeding at Quiet Waters.

A Savanna Sparrow was foraging at Greenbury Point.

White Throated Sparrows will be with us until Spring.

I saw many more Palm Warblers than usual.

A bright Cardinal is a treat for the eye.

Eastern Phoebes are still passing through.

Yellow Rumps will be our only common warbler until Spring.

I saw a flock of Eastern Towhees at Greenbury Point.

These birds spend a lot of time upside-down.

Large flocks of Ruby Crowned Kinglets have been present in most places I visit.

Carolina Chickadee at the Quiet Waters feeder.

Mourning Dove at Quiet WAters.

Blue Jays may dominate a feeder.

Carolina Wrens are very numerous.

Chipping Sparrows are arriving, and may stay for a while.

Eastern Bluebirds seem to be more numerous.

Several Brown Thrashers were passing through.

I see Ruby Crowned Kinglets everywhere I go.

This White Winged Scoter is here a little early.

Hermit Thrush at Greenbury Point.

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Hugh

The last two weeks have been spotty as far as finding interesting birds is concerned. “Interesting” means migrating, for the most part.

Sparrows are coming through in big numbers, as well as Kinglets and catbirds. Warblers have gotten harder to find , but there’s still a few to be found.

The weather has been unusually mild, and rain has been moderate. A good Nor’easter might bring us some good birds.

Dawn on Whitehall Bay.

I saw 40 or more White Throated Sparrows.

I haven’t seen a Hermit Thrush in a while.

Many Common Yellowthroats are on the move.

This Chipping Sparrow was hanging in the Butterfly Garden at Quiet Waters.

Chipping Sparrows are numerous,.

This Downy Woodpecker was at Quiet Waters.

Catbirds have been hanging out for a month or more.

Large flocks of Ruby Crowned Kinglets are in many places.

A few Golden Crowned Kinglets are often mixed with the Ruby Crowns.

There are always a few Cardinals about.

Common Yellowthroat at Greenbury Point.

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Hugh

I started early(6:30 ish) at Possum Point, but the sunrise was kinda’ bland. No birds to speak of.

The Nature Center is about a quarter mile away, and I was there and birding just a few minutes after sunrise.

It was still a bit dark, as there were clouds and the sun was quite low. I saw a few birds, but it was about half an hour before I saw any action.

There were quite a few birds around, and one Willow tree had me occupied for half an hour as it had so many visitors. Too many birds is a good problem, but you can’t help but wonder about the ones you missed. I did three circuits of the area, and the numbers dropped off quickly.

A good day. Good weather, good birds and a few good images.