White Throated Sparrow at Quiet Waters.

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Hugh

I got to Possum Point a couple of days ago and found Scoters, which I haven’t seen there previously. There was an overflight of 75 Double Crested Cormorants, which I’ve seen before. No Ruddys, which seems unusual, but I found a large flock at Thomas Point. I’ve also glanced at Jonas Green Park, but haven’t seen anything worth stopping for.

I got some nice closeups of a Long Tailed Duck and a White Throated Sparrow. A Cardinal has been attacking my car mirror at Thomas Point, and I recorded the action.

Many Canada Geese winter in the area.

Bufflehead courtship can be a frantic affair.

Buffleheads seem to be thriving.

I’ve been seeing a lot of Cowbirds at Quiet Waters recently.

A handsome Redhead.

There’s a bout a hundred Tundra Swans near Thomas Point.

I’ve seen only a few Surf Scoters this season.

One warm day I left the window rolled down, and my Cardinal friend perched inside.

It’s not unusual for a single bird to hang out in the same place for a while. This Long Tailed Duck has been at Thomas Point over a week.

There’s a few Black Scoters at the point.

I saw a flock of 60 Dark Eyed Juncos at Quiet Waters.

Redhead at Thomas Point.

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Hugh

This lucky shot turned out well.

It wasn’t really at Thomas Point, it was ay my friend’s house just a wee bit up the road. This Ebird checklist will show what else was about. https://ebird.org/checklist/S79167434

The weather has been quite good for a week, and I’ve been getting out most days. I finally tried going over the bridge to CBEC, and it was a total bust. My best guess is that the warm weather is keeping the ducks up North.

This is most noticeable at Thomas Point, when the usual hundreds of ducks is down to dozens. This is not the first time weather has affected the winter bird population.

SO, Quiet Waters and Thomas Point are sustaining me at the moment and that suits me. There’s still plenty of virus around and I’d like to avoid it.

I’ve been seeing a few Chipping Sparrows.

Tufted Titmice are always active.

Many Cowbirds have started showing up at Quiet Waters.

Great Blue Herons seem to be around all Winter.

There is a large Mallard Population.

Red Breasted Nuthatches are still in the area.

Lesser Scaup aren’t as numerous as in previous years.

I saw a flock of 60 Dark Eyed Juncos.

Song Sparrows can be quite pretty.

Buffleheads seem to be very common right now.

Canada Geese can be quite boisterous.

I’ve seen only a few Surf Scoters.

Tundra Swans will occasionally stretch their wings.

This is a Mallard/Black Duck hybrid.

This Cardinal seems to peck at every mirror in the parking lot.

I’ve seen only a few Redheads this season.

Mallards at Thomas Point.

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Hugh

I’m featuring a Mallard image because it’s pretty good, and I probably haven’t done much with Mallards on the past. I’m prejudiced in favor of other birds, I think.

It’s been a decent week or so; good weather, good enough birds, and good political news.

I’m still looking around for vagrants, but not finding much in the last few days. Looking for Siskins means finding Goldfinches, who feed on the same gumballs. Lots of Bluebirds and Sparrows, also. Hawks and Woodpeckers as well as a few Ducks, made for variety.

The Tufted Titmouse is sort of plain, so you need a good setting.

Buffleheads are here in large numbers.

Many Canvasbacks are in the area.

This Long Tailed Duck is a first year male who doesn’t have his adult plumage yet.

There seem to be fewer Surf Scoters than usual.

I haven’t seen the Pine Siskins in a week.

t’s hard to beat an Eastern Bluebird in good light.

This Chickadee seems to be a neat eater.

A large flock of Tundra Swans stays in the are all Winter.

There’s a few Lesser Scaup hanging around.

Learn the song of the White Breasted Nuthatch and you’ll hear them often,

I suspect there are more Dark Eyed Juncos than I’m finding They have great camouflage.

I wonder if this is the same Red Tailed Hawk I saw last month.

Carolina Wrens blend in well.

There’s usually a few Black Ducks in the area.

Canada Geese will kick up a fuss occasionally.

I often hear Red Bellied Woodpeckers, but they don’t pose this well.

Mallards can be enthusiastic at times.

Long Tailed Ducks at Thomas Point.

Posted on December 30, 2020 by Hugh

Things are a little different this year. I’m laying low to avoid crowds, and generally staying close to home. It’s actually working out well, because I’m getting to know these places a little better. Even the smallest places are large enough to have several distinct areas, and I’ve been looking in the same places all the time. Now, I’m checking out some new area and finding birds. The ducks aren’t really here yet, so all is well. Quiet Waters is a large park, and there’s still more places to check out.

I heard this Red Tailed Hawk before I saw him. They can be quite loud and startling.

There are many Black Scoters at Thomas Point.

These two Long Tailed duck hens are at Thomas Point.

Only a few Long Tailed ducks have arrived so far.

Most Song Sparrows forage on the ground.

There’s always a Cardinal or two.

Tufted Titimice are cute and numerous.

You can’t walk long in a MD woods without hearing a Carolina Wren.

The usual flock of Tundra Swans is near Thomas Point.

There seems to be more Buffleheads than usual.

This Downy Woodpecker posed nicely.

House Finches aren’t as numerous as other birds.

Many Dark Eyed Juncos are wandering around the park.

There are still Pine Siskins in the area.

I saw a lot of Chipping Sparrows this morning.

There are many small flocks of Bluebirds.

Sparrows at Quiet Waters Park.

Posted on December 21, 2020 by Hugh

Where are the ducks? So far I’ve seen two Ruddys, one Long Tailed, a handful of Scaup, and no Goldeneyes. This seems later than usual.

I’m still hanging out at Quiet Waters to avoid the crowds, but I may get over to the Eastern Shore in a day or two. I tried Truxtun Park a couple of days ago, with no luck.

I’ve been wandering around the park a bit, and it’s paying off in Sparrows and Siskins. It seems as though there’s a large group of small birds that wander the park in search of food, and there may be some cool birds among them. So far I’ve found Siskins, Chipping Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows. The light has been a sucky, cloudy gray, so far, but better weather is coming. Are there Crossbills, Redpolls and Grosbeaks to be found?

Chipping Sparrows seem to be year round residents.

This is the first Savannah Sparrow I’ve seen at the park. I initially thought it was a Song Sparrow.

White Throated Sparrows are abundant.

This Pine Siskin seemed to be scratching in the gravel, seeking rocks for its gizzard, perhaps? I’ve seen this often in small birds,

When I found this Pine Siskin in the gray, cloudy morning light I thought it was a House Finch. I haven’t seen Siskins in a month, so it was a surprise. This flock may have been quite large.

Listen, and You’ll hear Carolina Chickadees

White Breasted Nuthatches are handsome and fun to watch.

Goldfinches seem to be doing well.

I found this single Ruddy Duck at Thomas Point. Some years there are hundreds at Quiet Waters.

Redhead at Thomas Point.

Posted on December 13, 2020 by Hugh

It’s been a very sparse December so far. I’m staying in the immediate area to avoid crowds, which includes some decent birding spots, but the unusually warm weather is slowing the influx of Winter birds (I think). It’s been very cold years that have brought the best birds.

Sandy Point has been quite barren so far, and Thomas Point hasn’t been much better, Greenbury Point, Possum Point and Jonas Green Park have yet to yield anything interesting, but that may change soon. I did find some distant Scoters and a Loon, but too far out for pics. I’m not crossing the bridge much yet.

This Mallard hen is stretching’s her wings.

An unusual shot, with the Bufflehead’s head under water.

Canvasbacks are just arriving in numbers.

Redheads are very striking.

There seems to be more Buffleheads than usual this year,

A few Lesser Scaup have arrived.

Black Ducks are not numerous, but there’s always a few.

It’s been a good year for Tundra Swans so far.

Tundra Swans at Thomas Point.

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Hugh

When I started this blog in 2012, I found a collared Tundra Swan at Hillsmere Beach,. not far from here. She’s hanging out near Thomas Point, now, and I’ve photographed her in previous years. You never know how well a given bird will fare in the wild, so it’s always a mild relief to see she’s made it another year. “She”, because the locals who feed her have nicknamed her “Julia”.

In the last week or so I’ve stayed very local to avoid crowds and keep costs down. The USA is experiencing a large surge, and I suspect obeying the rules is the right way to go.

So, it’s mostly passerines because the ducks are just starting to get here. I’ve been hanging out near the feeders, as there’s not much else going on yet.

Even the ubiquitous Song Sparrow looks good in the right setting.

You can’t help but smile as you watch a White Breasted Nuthatch feed.

This Cardinal seems especially bright.

Several Downy Woodpeckers show up at the feeders.

I found this Blue Jay near Thomas Point.

There seems to be more Bufflehead than usual this year.

40-50 Tundra Swans are wintering along Thomas Point Road.

Canvasbacks are just starting to arrive.

This Bluebird appears to be freshly molted.

The song of the Chickadee always announces their presence.

Dark Eyed Juncos are shy.

I found this Yellow Rumped Warbler at CBEC.

Several Black Scoters are feeding at Thomas Point.

I’ve found several Hooded Mergansers.

This Gadwall was at Jonas Green Park.

Many Canada Geese are still in the area.

This is Julia, the collared Tundra Swan.

White Crowned Sparrow at Quiet Waters.

Posted on November 21, 2020 by Hugh

I’m still doing feeder watch at Quiet Waters. We’ve got a virus surge going on, and it’s not usually crowded, especially during the week.

I’m seeing the same birds as a few days ago. I did see a large (25) flock of Goldfinches once, and a flyover Bald Eagle and Great Blue Heron, and a few Buffleheads, but the winter ducks just aren’t here yet. I’ll be getting to Thomas Point soon, but the potholes are too numerous right now. Repairs are scheduled.

We’re getting really warm weather, which is probably messing with the birds’ instincts, so it might get interesting.

This year’s irruption of Pine Siskins has been good to me. I last saw one 6-7 years ago.

There’s probably 6-8 Tufted Titmice hanging out near the feeder.

Several White Throated Sparrows are living in a nearby bush.

A juvenile White-crowned Sparrow is also sharing the bush. It’s possible there’s only one of these guys.

A Song Sparrow is also sharing the nearby bush. One advantage of birding the same spot for a time is that you can get to see who’s who and who’s where.

I’ve spent some effort trying to get good shots of the White Breasted Nuthatches.

Feeder birds allow for closeups, sometimes.

Downy Woodpeckers often appear to be fearless.

A Red Bellied Woodpecker has been visiting.

I’ve heard Bluebirds in the area often but they don’t usually get this close.

I’ve seen only a few House Finches.

A pair of Cowbirds visited briefly.

Several Crows were present when I arrived, and I was able to get fairly close.

This Carolina Wren has been consistently silent.

Several Chickadees are regular visitors.

White Breasted Nuthatch at Quiet Waters Park.

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Hugh

I last posted about a week ago. The weather has been good enough, and I found a few decent birds, so it was a good week. One interesting thing about the pandemic is that many of my favorite spots are seeing a lot more traffic. Not a big problem so far.

Siskins and Nuthatches are still around. Otherwise, it’s just the regulars, although a few Tundra Swans have arrived. No decent images yet. It was way windy today, and the swans were somewhat distant.

I’m still staking out the feeder after checking for ducks, who should be in the area soon.

A few Cardinals came and went.

A very striking Cardinal. If you can find a good place to stand, you can get some awesome close ups at a feeder.

Another closeup. Tufted Titmouse.

Downy Woodpeckers are attracted to feeders.

This Red Bellied Woodpecker stayed in the area, but I didn’t see him at the feeder.

White Throated Sparrows seem to feed only on the ground.

Carolina Wrens are not particularly timid.

Bluebirds will come to a feeder if you have mealworms.

A few House Finches are in the area.

This Red Breasted Nuthatch was by himself.

How long will the Pine Siskins stay around?

A Goldfinch and a Siskin share a moment.

This Yellow Rumped Warbler was at Sandy Point.

I expect to start seeing more Dark Eyed Juncos soon.

A Starling in good light can be attractive.

This late Great Egret was at CBEC.

It’s always a treat to see these handsome birds forage upside down.

Pine Siskins at Quiet Waters Park.

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Hugh

It’s that slow time of year again, when the ducks haven’t arrived and Fall migration is about over. People are finding a few good birds, but mostly it’s just the regulars. I’ve been hanging out at Sandy Point, Quiet Waters and Greenbury Point. I made a single stop at Thomas Point, where the road is badly in need of repair.

Thankfully, we’re in the midst of an irruption of Siskins RB Nuthatches and Evening Grosbeaks. I got the QW ranger to fill up their feeder (They lost their regular feeder filler) and it seemed like only minutes until the first Siskins showed up. Lots of Goldfinches, Titmice, Chickadees and a Red Breasted Nuthatch were eating as well.

So, I’ve of lots of feeder images, and images of birds approaching the feeder so the feeders don’t always show in the picture. It alway feels a little like cheating to stake out a feeder, but I did get a few good pictures.