Marsh Wren at Bombay Hook NWR.

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Hugh

Some days it seems as though the Spring Migration is passing me by again. I’ve spent lot of time seeking, and not enough time finding. My guess is everything is two weeks behind normal.

I spent the morning at Bombay Hook and got a few decent images. I also stopped at Truxtun Park to get a look at the Blue Angels annual show. I haven’t finished processing everything yet, so I’ll probably add some pics later.

These Egrets remained quite close together for a while.

This Yellow Warbler was very active.

I heard several Blue Grosbeaks today, but found only one.

Hundreds of Short Billed Dowitchers were feeding in the shallows.

Dunlins and Dowitchers were foraging in mixed flocks.

Tree Swallows were constantly on the move.

Hundreds of Least Sandpipers were visible from the road.

This is a juvenile Bald Eagle.

It’s easy to hear Marsh Wrens, but harder to get a decent pic.

These Fox kits are living in a den adjacent to the main road, and are probably used to people getting quite close.

Nest of a Marsh Wren.

The Blue Angels as seen from Truxtun Park.

Yellow Warbler at Bombay Hook.

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Hugh

It’s unusual for me to go this long without a post, but it’s been slow birding for a while. It’s been a wet, cold Spring so far, and that may be affecting migration. I’m finding very few interesting migrants.

I’ve been to Sandy Point, Greenbury Point and Quiet Waters, and they’ve all been quiet. I decided to change my luck with a trip to Bombay Hook, and it paid off. I’ve had better days there, but it was an above average day.

I found only two Black Necked Stilts.

This is a young Red Winged Blackbird.

Blue Grosbeaks are often found along the edge of the marsh.

There were many hundreds of Least Sandpipers.

I saw more Bald Eagles than usual.

This very dark Bald Eagle is likely this year’s young.

Four Mute Swans were calmly feeding in Raymond Pool.

This Great Egret may be in Breeding plumage.

Hundreds of Short Billed Dowitchers were feeding in the marsh.

I don’t get close to Crows very often.

I saw this Cardinal at Greenbury Point.

It’s Easy to find Yellow Breasted Chats at Greenbury Point.

This Spotted Sandpiper was at Lake Artemesia.

Canada Geese have hatched their young already.

This Ring Billed Gull was at Sandy Point.

Some fellow birders pointed out this Yellow Warbler.

Blue Grosbeak at Bombay Hook NWR.

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Hugh

I wasn’t sure where to go when I went to bed, but Bombay beckoned this morning, and off I went.

The weather was seriously foggy when I left the house but largely cleared by the time I arrived. Some fog and clouds returned later, which was disappointing.

The early morning low tide attracted many shorebirds, but the population quickly diminished as the water rose. Eagles were well represented. There were a lot of photographers for a weekday morning.

I also found some Terns and the Grosbeaks. A good day.