Black Scoter at Thomas Point.

It was a much warmer, less windy day, and I stayed at Thomas Point longer than usual. The birds weren’t quite as cooperative, but it was pleasant just to sit and watch for a while.

I met some nice ladies who directed me to a place just down the road from the point, and I found some nice birds there as well.

Tundra Swan 2017-8 Tundra Swan 2017-7 Tundra Swan 2017-6

Tundra Swan 2017-5

I’m not sure why these Tundra Swans were making such a commotion.

Horned Grebe 2017-2 Horned Grebe 2017-1

Horned Grebe 2017-3

My first Horned Grebe of the season.

Hooded Merganser 2017-71 Hooded Merganser 2017-70 Hooded Merganser 2017-12

Hooded Merganser 2017-72

I found these Hooded Mergansers at Southbreeze Lane.

Great Blue Heron 2017-2

I spooked this Great Blue Heron.

Crow 2017-1

This Crow was very noisy.

Song Sparrow 2017-4

My Song Sparrow friend continues his quest.

Long Tailed Duck 2017-3

I found a single Long Tailed Duck when I first arrived.

Common Goldeneye 2017-26

Common Goldeneye 2017-27

There’s still a few Common Goldeneyes around.

Bufflehead 2017-23 Bufflehead 2017-22

Bufflehead 2017-25

Buffleheads continue to be the most common duck.

Surf Scoter 2017-5

Black Scoter 2017-3

This flock of Black Scoters flew in as I was watching some other birds.

Red Headed Woodpecker at Quiet Waters.

My site has been down for two days, which is most unusual. Although the fix was easy, Godaddy did a terrible job of getting me to the right person. They’ve been very good in the past, but they blew a lot of good will with this one.

I’ve  been to Sandy Point, Thomas Point and Quiet Waters recently, and found some good birds in good light. The Red Headed Woodpecker is rare for our area, and a nice find. Ducks are gathering at Thomas Point in much better numbers than last year, and Sandy Point is very active as well.

Sandy Point 471 Sandy Point 472 Sandy Point 474 Sandy Point 470

Sandy Point 473

Sunrise at Sandy Point.

Lesser Scaup 2017-3

Thousands of ducks moving north before sunrise.

Lesser Scaup 2017-2

Lesser Scaup 2017-4

Lesser Scaup by dawn’s early light.

Song Sparrow 2017-2

Song Sparrow 2017-3

The same Song Sparrow who attacks my car regularly.

Tundra Swan 2017-4

Tundra Swans foraging near the point.

Bald Eagle 2017-4 Bald Eagle 2017-3

Bald Eagle 2017-5

This Bald Eagle has a small fish.

Common Goldeneye 2017-23 Common Goldeneye 2017-22 Common Goldeneye 2017-21 Common Goldeneye 2017-20 Common Goldeneye 2017-19 Common Goldeneye 2017-18 Common Goldeneye 2017-17

Common Goldeneye 2017-24

This is a male Common Goldeneye.

Red Breasted Merganser 2017-5 Red Breasted Merganser 2017-4 Red Breasted Merganser 2017-3 Red Breasted Merganser 2017-1

Red Breasted Merganser 2017-6

I saw more Red Breasted Mergansers than usual.

Bufflehead 2017-19 Bufflehead 2017-18 Bufflehead 2017-17 Bufflehead 2017-16 Bufflehead 2017-15

Bufflehead 2017-21

Buffleheads always seem slightly comical.

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker 2017-1

This Yellow Bellied Sapsucker is well camouflaged.

Pileated Woodpecker 2017-1

Pileated Woodpecker 2017-2

Pileated Woodpeckers are much easier to find.

Downy Woodpecker 2017-1

This Downy Woodpecker made for a four woodpecker day.

Hooded Merganser 2017-8 Hooded Merganser 2017-68 Hooded Merganser 2017-67

Hooded Merganser 2017-69

It was good to some Hooded Mergansers move in close enough for decent images.

Ring Billed Gull 2017-1

Ring Billed Gull 2017-2

Many Ring Billed Gulls were in the area.

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-8 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-7 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-6 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-5 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-4 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-3 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-2 Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-1

Red Headed Woodpecker 2017-9

It’s unusual to find a Red Headed Woodpecker in AA county.