Walking the Great Ditch

 

Cutler Park, Needham/Dedham

The temperature was in the low 20s, a good opportunity to walk the Ditch in Cutler Park, normally too tick-infested and marshy to pass through easily, though even today there were challenges. 

The Great Ditch (labeled "Charles River") via Google Maps

The Great or Long Ditch is a 17th century shortcut/drainage solution. It is normally a good place in January to encounter hooded and common mergansers.

The Great Ditch

Not today. No ducks. Indeed, no eagles, ravens, or otters, either. Just an unseen beaver slapping the water to make sure I knew I wasn't alone. This would be a day for smaller encounters.

Black-capped chickadee

I walked back along the train tracks, flushing sparrows along the trail. Song, white-throated, and even an over-wintering swamp sparrow. But, I suddenly thought, no American tree sparrows. This used to be a given along this stretch this time of year. Where did they go? 

American tree sparrows

Almost back to my car, I heard a familiar piccolo. "There you are," I said out loud. There was a flock of five birds foraging on the ground as if nothing were wrong. In fact, there is. According to an article in the new issue of Living Bird, American tree sparrows are in significant decline. We are losing our normal birds.