American Redstart at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Audubon

There was a good report on MD Birding, so I headed to Terrapin this morning.

It was quite windy, but the warblers have definitely arrived. Although there were plenty of them, they remained well hidden in the foliage, for the most part, but I did manage a few decent shots.

A few marsh birds helped make it a good day.

This Azalea is growing in front of my house.

Cornell: “The Lesser Yellowlegs is a slender, long-legged shorebird that readily shows off the brightly colored legs that give it its name. It is an active feeder, often running through the shallow water to chase its prey.”

This is the second Great Crested Flycatcher I’ve seen at Terrapin.

This Carolina Wren was singing along the trail.

Least Sandpipers are still feeding in the marsh pond.

This Downy Woodpecker was foraging alongside the warblers.

This Osprey missed the fish he was hunting.

This may be an Acadian Flycatcher.

It was tough to get a good look at the Magnolia Warblers.

The American Redstart was the dominant warbler today.

Spotted Sandpiper at Wooton’s Landing

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Audubon

The sunny, blue skies were a nice change, but migrating birds were in short supply this morning. I walked the entire trail, including a lengthy stay on the lower part, but there just wasn’t much to see.

A quick look for bugs didn’t produce much either.

Sunrise at Wooton.

This Muskrat was swimming at Truxtun Park.

Canada Goose goslings are appearing in many places.

I cant say it’s the same bird every time, but I’m getting very close looks at a Prothonotary Warbler near the boardwalk.

This Great Blue Heron was fishing in the pond near the river.

I’ve only seen a few Solitary Sandpipers at Wooton.

Today’s bugs.

Snowy Egret at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Audubon

It’s a weird Spring so far. A few migrants are showing up, but the numbers just aren’t there. One suggestion is that the southern storm is delaying migration. We’ll have to wait and see.

It was overcast and cloudy this morning, with not much to see but the usual suspects and a few bugs.

Cornell: “Least Sandpipers are tiny sandpipers with round bodies and relatively short, pointed wings. They have thin-tipped, slightly decurved bills and slim, medium-length legs.”

Even the Snowy Egrets were fewer than usual today.

Today’s bugs.

Yellow Breasted Chat at Wooton’s Landing

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Audubon

I heard a good report about Wooton, so I headed out headed our early for a dawn arrival. My beaver friend was around, but not in the mood to pose.

It was actually a bit slow, and after a few decent images I walked the upper trail, which I usually avoid, and that’s where I found the Chat.

Yet another Turtle crossing the path.

I’ve been very lucky getting close ups of the Prothonotary Warbler this year.

I found these Cardinals at Truxtun Park this afternoon.

This Orchard Oriole was high in a tree.

Many Tree Swallows nest at Wooton.

I was just able to catch these goslings before they disappeared.

Indigo Buntings are becoming more common.

You can hear the song of the Yellow Breasted Chat all over Wooton, but they don’t often show themselves.

Blue Grosbeak at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Audubon

Where are the warblers? This should be near prime time, and they just aren’t here in numbers.

I went back to Terrapin again in hopes of finding something new, and I did, but no warblers to speak of. Maybe next week.

A few new birds and a fox made up for it, so it was a decent day anyway.

This fox stayed in view for several minutes

This turtle was crossing the path, so I gave him a helping hand.

I was lucky to get any look at this Indigo Bunting.

I tried a flight shot of this Red Winged Blackbird just for the Hell of it.

I don’t often get a clear look at a Green Heron.

Caspian Terns continue to fish in the marsh ponds.

This Snowy Egret took off when he saw me.

Wood Ducks are still hanging out in the early morning.

Terrapin seems popular with Least Sandpipers this year.

I’ve see very few Blue Grosbeaks at Terrapin.

Least Sandpiper at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Audubon

Back to Terrapin again. One of these days I’ll see some warblers there, but not today. I also tried to get a good shot of the large snapping turtle, but he stays too far out in the marsh.

The Wood Ducks are still cooperating, and the sandpipers were a nice surprise.

This part of the marsh is near the beach.

This dead tree is a favorite perch for Tree Swallows and other birds.

This Snowy Egret was fishing in the marsh near the beach.

I heard this Great Crested Flycatcher in the tree tops, and it took a while to find him.

Red Winged Blackbirds are probably the most common bird at Terrapin.

I don’t recall seeing Least Sandpipers at Terrapin before today.

Snowy Egret at Terrapin Nature Park

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Audubon

I went to Terrapin this morning in hopes of finding some warblers, but they just weren’t there.

Fortunately, the marsh birds were active, as well as a herd of snapping turtles who seemed to be eating every fish in the pond.

One of the big ponds at Terrapin.

6-8 Wood Ducks were cruising in the pond.

Once again I looked up just in time to catch this Green Heron.

Three Ospreys were fishing in the pond.

This Cardinal posed beautifully.

A few Laughing Gulls flew over the pond.

I heard this Pileated Woodpecker in the distance, and as I looked for him, he flew toward me.

I haven’t seen a Snowy Egret since last year.

This Snapping Turtle and a few of his friends, were working hard to decimate a large school of fish.

Wood Thrush at Governor Bridge Natural Area

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Audubon

The weatherman called for rain this morning, but it didn’t materialize, so I got a late start.

I found a couple of nice birds right away at Governor bridge, but not much happened after that, so I went off to do chores after a couple of hours.

A pair of Tufted Titmice was foraging near the lake

I haven’t posted many female Cardinals recently.

This Palm Warbler has found a nice snack.

Black Snake at Bacon Ridge

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Audubon

For the last two years I’ve gone to the annual Bacon Ridge bird walk, and done very well. It’s only open a few times each year, ad is a great place for birding.

Not so today. Warblers were in very short supply, and what little we found was far away and not very exciting.

A short walk in the ‘hood produced only a couple of bugs

Dan Haas , fearless leader and birder extraordinaire.

A distant Palm Warbler.

I was lucky to get any shot at all of this Blue Headed Vireo, who was high in the treetops.

A distant Palm Warbler.

This 4 foot Black Snake was today’s star.

Today’s bugs.

Northern Cardinal at Truxtun Park

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Audubon

It was raining this morning, and I thought the day was lost.\, but we got some sunshine around 9:00, so I went to the local parks.

Quiet Waters lived up to its name, with virtually no interesting birds. Truxtun Park wasn’t much better, but I did find a Cardinal gathering nesting material.

These Turtles were enjoying the sunshine.

Cornell:”Nuthatches are active, agile little birds with an appetite for insects and large, meaty seeds. They get their common name from their habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then whacking them with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed from the inside. White-breasted Nuthatches may be small but their voices are loud, and often their insistent nasal yammering will lead you right to them.”