A Morning at Bombay Hook.

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Hugh

Graeme and I visited Bombay Hook a few days ago, and it was a decent enough day, but we missed all the cool birds.

Our last visit was marred by high winds, but the weather was just right this time.

Bombay Hook is reliable for Blue Grosbeaks.

Dozens of Tree Swallows nest at Bombay Hook.

This Black Crowned Night Heron was probably hatched at Bombay Hook.

Eastern Kingbirds are easy to find at this time of year.

We saw a dozen or more Black Necked Stilts.

We found only a single Bald Eagle.

We got a good look at this Mute Swan.

Great Blue Herons were present in numbers.

This Common Yellowthroat Warbler posed nicely.

Trumpeter Swan Cygnet, Annapolis, MD.

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Hugh

I’ve been following a pair of Trumpeter Swans for about 4 years, and they’ve just accomplished their second successful nesting, a single cygnet probably 1-2 days old now. I\ve been checking the nest almost daily, so it was a big deal for me to fimally see this little guy.

I could tell you a lot about Trumpeter Swans, but The Trumpeter Swan Society has been protecting them for years and they have a lot of info.: https://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/

This site is about the images I got, and here they are.

Harriet and James announce the hatching of Louis.

Trumpeter Swans need about 200 meters to take off, a noisy and dramatic affair.

When this Canada Goose got too close to the nest, he was quickly run off by the male (Called “Cob”, the female is called “Pen'”.

When Swans Attack!

Image

This White Eyed Vireo posed nicely.

I saw a few Northern Rough Winged Swallows at Jonas Green PAtk.

Mockingbirds haven't been common this season.

Red Winged Blackbirds provide the background music for the marsh.

Eastern Bluebirds are active everywhere I go.

This female Goldfinch will be nesting soon.

Female Cardinals are more subdued than their mates.

When the swans get territorial, there's a lot of noise; the pattering of big swan feet and the frightened honking of the fleeing geese. The swans rarely make any sounds..

Bald Eagle at Thomas Point.

Posted on February 5, 2023 by

Morning at Thomas Point.

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?

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Last year's Trumpeter Swans have returned.

Black Ducks have long favored Thomas Point.

Buffleheads have been the most common duck by far at Thomas Point.

This pair of Canvasbacks was at Thomas Point.

Chickadees are always fun to watch.

I found this Dark Eyed Junco at Quiet Waters.

Large flocks of Double Crested Cormorants often fly past Thomas Point.

A small flock of Gadwalls is staying at the pond near Jonas Green.

These Hooded Mergansers are hanging out at the pond near Jonas Green.

Developed using darktable 4.0.1

Long Tailed Ducks have been in short supply this year.

This Northern Flicker posed nicely.

I've seen very few Ruddy Ducks this year.

Many Song Sparrows hangout in the rocks at Thomas Point.

This Surf Scoter hen was eating mussels at Thomas Point.

Trumpeter Swans at Jonas Green Park.

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Hugh

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.

Several Mallards were foraging the pond also.

A small flock of Hooded Mergansers was feeding early this morning.

Gadwalls often forage in this pond.

This is part of the takeoff sequence, A noisy and dramatic affair.

Gadwalls at Jonas Green Park.

Posted on October 22, 2022 by Hugh

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.

We only get to see the Tennessee Warbler during migration.

I usually see Hermit Thrushes in the Fall.

This White Eyed Vireo was flagged as “Rare” by Ebird due to the late date.

This Yellow Billed Cuckoo was a surprise.

Kinglets took over the area for several days. This one is a Ruby Crowned.

Many Eastern Bluebirds were feeding on berries at CCBEC.

A few Green Winged Teal usually show up at CBEC at this time of year.

Pintails often stop at Lake Knapp, CBEC.

Several Northern Pintails are in the area.

Northern Flickers were migrating through CBEC.

I saw more Magnolia Warblers this year than usual.

Mockingbirds are usually resident at Greenbury Point.

A Yellow Bellied Sapsucker stopped briefly on his journey South.

Dozens, maybe hundreds of Yellow Rumped Warblers were buzzing through the treetops at CBEC.

Palm Warblers are always a colorful treat.

There are Gadwall in the Jonas Green pond every year.

A few Wood Ducks are still in the pond.

A single Blackpoll Warbler posed at Greenbury Point.

Cape May Warbler at Greenbury Point.

Posted on September 30, 2022 by Hugh

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.

Common Yellowthroats are quite common at Greenbury Point.

I’ve seen more Black and White Warblers than usual this year.

I’ve captured this Carolina Wren exuberant singing pose many times.

Red Eyed Vireos are migrating through in numbers.

Eastern Phoebes have been present daily.

This Eastern Phoebe has found a nutritious snack.

This is a Swainson’s Thrush, which I’ve seen only once before.

Greenbury Point was overrun with Catbirds this year. Their soft mewing can be heard everywhere.

Carolina Chickadees are year ’round residents.

I don’t often get such a good look at Black Throated Blue Warblers.

This Wood Duck is greeting the day near Jonas Green Park.

This Cardinal has found a nice stash.

This Great Blue Heron may have been born in this pond near Jonas Green Park.

I didn’t recognized this Pectoral Sandpiper which I found at CBEC.

Several Greater Yellowlegs were foraging at CBEC.

Several Northern Flickers were feeding together.

Several Killdeer were searching the mud at CBEC .

This Cape May Warbler is headed to the Bahamas for the Winter.

Ovenbird at Greenbury Point.

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Hugh

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.

Many Goldfinches call Greenbury Point home.

Many juvenile White Ibises were visiting Shearness Pool.

American Redstarts are numerous this year.

Greater Yellowlegs are numerous at Bombay Hook and CBEC.

Least Sandpipers stay very busy.

We saw many hundreds of Great Egrets.

This Downy Woodpecker is a regular visitor at Greenbury Point.

Several Black and White Warblers have been foraging at Greenbury Point.

A visiting Magnolia Warbler.

Blue Gray Gnatcatchers were numerous for a few days.

Great Crested Flycatchers have been prominent at Greenbury Point.

This image illustrates the cygnet’s “Angel Wing”.

This Warbling Vireo was a treat, as I don’t see many

Chestnut sided Warbler

Developed using darktable 3.8.1

Many Wood Duck fledglings are visiting the pond near Jonas Green Park.

Yellow Bellied Flycatchers breed in Canada and the NE USA. They build a cup shaped nest on the ground.

White Ibises at Bombay Hook.

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Hugh

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.

Graeme Simpson has a bird in sight.

How many egrets do you see?

Goldfinches are abundant in Summer.

Indigo Buntings will be migrating soon.

American Redstarts have been easy to find for a few days.

This Orchard Oriole is probably a migrant.

Great Crested Flycatchers were scarce all summer, and now they’re regulars.

The Trumpeter Cygnet is doing well.

Wood Ducks sharing a log with a local turtle.

These Pileated Woodpeckers are at Beach Road. I have heard them way more often than I’ve seen them.

There’s often a House Wr4en around at this time of year.

This Black and White Warbler was very entertaing for several minutes.

A juvenile Baltimore Oriole, headed South.

This Chestnut Sided Warbler was a surprise.

We saw hundreds of Great Egrets at Bombay Hook.

Several Bald Eagles were fishing in the pools.

There many huge flocks of egrets.

We saw a dozen or more black Necked Stilts.

Blue Winged Warbler at Greenbury Point.

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Hugh

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.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

This Brown Headed Nuthatch is a resident at CBEC.

Red Headed Woodpeckers have been nesting at CBEC for several years.

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are fueling up for migration.

Green Herons are common in our local marshes.

A Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, headed south.

Greenbury Point has always been reliable for Indigo Buntings.

The Blue Winged Warbler is a rare visitor.

There are a few more Orchard Orioles than usual.

Great Crested Flycatchers were hard to find earlier this year.

This Snowy Egret is using his toes as a fishing lure. He flies very slowy, and when his toes gently strike the surface, smaqll fish are often attracted and subsequently snatched up.