Trumpeter Swans at Sandy Point.

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Hugh

It’s that time of year when things slow down, and there may be some kind of cicada effect this year. Is it possible I’m seeing fewer birds because they’re finding food more easily? I haven’t seen that many birds eating cicadas, but others have.

It seems odd to see Trumpeter Swans at a beach, but they’ve been seen there several times in the past couple of months. They were very cooperative and ate a lot of cicadas.

Otherwise, Bluebirds and Ospreys dominated. The water is still high at CBEC, so I haven’t crossed the bridge much. I’m keeping an eye on the Ebird reports.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

This Double Crested Cormorant was fishing at Schoolhouse Pond.

The Possum Point Ospreys seem to have chicks.

Yellow Breasted Chats are often heard, but can be difficult to see.

A few Cedar Waxwings have been appearing here and there.

There seems to be more Eastern Bluebirds than usual.

This Eastern Screech Owl has been at Quiet Waters for quite a while.

These Canada Goose chicks were sleeping in the sand.

Nobody likes the poor old Cowbird, who lays her eggs in other bird’s nests.

I’m seeing fewer Goldfinches than usual.

This Great Crested Flycatcher was at Jonas Green Park. First time I’ve seen one there.

I found this Wood Duck and her chicks at Jonas Green Park.

Trumpeter Swans are the largest flying waterfowl, reaching 30 pounds with an 8 foot wingspan.

Trumpeter Swan 2021-19 The Trumpeter Swan Society used some of my images.

Blue Angels at Truxtun Park.

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Hugh

It’s been a slowish birding week, topped off by the Annual Blue Angels show yesterday. I’m lucky enough to live near a local park where I get good views of much of the show. The best place is from a boat, or nearer the river, but those spots are taken early, and very crowded.

I did manage a couple of decent birds this week as well. I got to CBEC and Terrapin this week, and both yielded a few images.

Dawn at Possum Point.

Semi Palmated Plover at CBEC.

The Tree Swallows at CBEC use feathers in their nests.

These Snowy Egrets were feeding at Terrapin.

An early morning Great Blue Heron.

This Great Crested Flycatcher was gathering nesting material at CBEC.

This Canvasback hen is way overdue to migrate.

I see Canada Goose goslings in every marsh.

Photos don’t really capture the speed and the sound.

Baltimore Orioles at Buddy Attick Park.

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Hugh

It’s been a week, but a busy and somewhat productive week. We’re finally getting some migrants with regularity.

Where to go? I’ve tried a few places without much luck, but it’s often a crapshoot even at peak migration. I’m getting too old for all day marathons, so I’m usually just hitting two or three places.

Anyway, here’s the best stuff from the last week.

Sunrise at Possum Point.

This Spotted Sandpiper was at Jonas Green Park.

Mallards are plentiful at Quiet Waters.

This Eastern Bluebird has found a nice breakfast.

Yellow Breasted Chats, with their bizarre song, are always a treat to find.

Lincoln’s Sparrow is an unusual find, and only happens during migration. This one was at Greenbury Point.

Orchard Orioles are present at Greenbury Point, but will they stay?

I wanted better light for this Carolina Chickadee.

Worthy of inclusion only because it’s a Common Goldeneye, and should be way North of here.

Common Yellowthroats are singing in every marsh.

This Great Blue Heron flew right into the sunrise.

There are dozens of Black Vultures at Sandy Point, often gathered ’round the dumpsters.

The Red Winged Blackbird may be our most numerus bird.

You can’t go far without hearing a Cardinal.

Swamp Sparrows have just arrived, and some will stay to breed.

This Osprey was resting at Possum Point.

This Cooper’s Hawk and his partner, flew overhead this morning at Possum Point.

Double Crested Cormorants are regulars at Possum Point.

Many Gray Catbirds are feeding at Greenbury Point.

This Baltimore was nesting at Buddy Attick Park.

Prothonotary Warbler at Huntley Meadows.

Posted on May 4, 2021 by Hugh

We’re getting some good migrants almost every day. I’m hearing about more than I see, but I’m doing OK, thank you.

Graeme and I went to Huntley Meadows overnight, and it’s a great place. A boardwalk through the marsh puts many good birds right in front of you. A few reptiles appeared as well.

Greenbury Point is hosting some good migrants, and I’ll be posting some before too long. I thought the Trumpeter Swans had left, but I relocated them this morning. How long will they stay?

The boardwalk at Huntley Meadows.

This Common Grackle has a strange iridescence,

Wood Ducks have been easy to find recently.

This Common Yellowthroat was singing loudly.

Female Red Winged Blackbirds always seem to be in the minority.

A Prothonotary Warbler is always a bit startling.

Gray Catbirds arrived only a few days ago.

I’m seeing Chipping Sparrows almost daily.

Yet another Grackle.

A Spring Cardinal.

Barn Swallows are building nests.

This Bluebird is feeding his young.

We saw several Hooded Mergansers with chicks.

Green Herons were feeding in the marsh.

This is from the Heronry at Jonas Green Park.

The Trumpeter Swans were in Woolchurch Pond this morning.

Several Great Blue Herons were fishing.

This Great Blue Heron seemed to catch a crayfish with every attempt.

Eastern Kingbirds have arrived. Thy seem to thrive at Greenbury Point.

A Bald Eagle nest at Dyke Marsh.

This Gray Tree Frog lives in a hole, and the locals say he’s often visible.

A very large Snapping Turtle.

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.