Circling the Smiling Pond

Ridge Hill Reservation: Muir Path Trail & Field View Trail

2012-02-08T09:35:00.000-08:00

The last time I posted about the Muir Path Trail was about four years ago. At the time it was completely neglected, overgrown, and I basically had to hack my way through. Here's a photo. Now it is stunningly open, easy to walk, and a real Ridge Hill gem.

It circles a small pond. As I walked by recently I flushed a great horned owl. I wonder if there is a nest atop one of those tall white pines?

In fact the only downside is that the trail is short. If you come from the north you will reach a fork. Going to the left, which allows the clearest views of the pond, takes you back to the Ridge Hill driveway. Going to the right takes you to the gas line easement. It appears from the official map that you can simply follow the easement north to hook into other Ridge Hill trails.

Whether you do or not depends on how comfortable you are walking through someone's back yard...

The Field View Trail can be reached via the easement (in two spots: just north of the backyard above or just south of the spur off of North trail) as well as from the Ridge Hill field. (There is also access via a trail that begins just south of the picnic area).

Entrance to Field View Trail from the Ridge Hill field.

It is apparently named the "Field View" trail because you have to walk through a bit of field to get in. From the woods itself you will not be viewing any fields.

I think a better name might be the "swampy" trail, as the path is often muddy, running as it does through and along quite a bit of wetland. Note: this is not a knock against the trail. The wetland environment makes this area particularly birdy.

Old "You are entering private property" sign, slowly being consumed by tree.

Because of its many access points and the number of spurs leading in and out, the Field View Trail can be somewhat confusing to navigate. Of particular concern is the status of the easement. Is this private property or not? The signage may or may not be up to date.

I hope you have enjoyed this series of Ridge Hill posts. There is a meeting about the future of Ridge Hill on February 9 at the library starting at 7:15 p.m.

Ridge Hill Reservation: Esker, Swamp, Hornbeam trails

2012-01-30T17:25:00.000-08:00

Esker Trail, Ridge Hill Reservation, Needham, MA

The main trail in Ridge Hill Reservation is the Esker Trail, which does indeed run along the crest of an esker cutting through the property (is this the "ridge hill" in "Ridge Hill"?). One can get to the entrance from the back parking lot if you walk east in the meadow along the edge of the woods. It is a wide and high trail and I frankly find it a bit monotonous. It does provide access to a relatively deep part of the woods and, more importantly, a nice section of the Swamp Trail. It is where you are most likely to see pileated woodpeckers and ravens in the early morning and hear owls at dusk.

Almost immediately after the entrance the trail branches.

Esker trail on left, Hornbeam on right

Stay to the left. You can take the Hornbeam trail on the way back.

Soon on your left you will come to the eastern end of the Swamp Trail, a now impassable trail that theoretically connects the Esker Trail to the western trail complex.

If the weather is right (dry and/or cold) you can make it through a good portion of the trail without getting too muddy. Today I wore my muck boots so I fearless stomped my way in.

A mossy wonderland.

Mosses and lichens in many shapes and sizes. That's a delicate fern moss above, if I'm not mistaken.

Eventually you will reach the impassable bit and will have to turn back.

As you walk further north on the Esker Trail you can see the enormous mound that is the town landfill to the right. (And the Fuller Brook--unpictured--below it). Maybe you'll also see a hairy woodpecker (as I did today).

Fork at the end of the Esker Trail

Eventually you will come to a fork, signaling the end of the Esker Trail. Which way should you go? Usually at this point I turn around and go back, but today I thought I would follow each path to its end. If you go to the left you will eventually come to this:

If you go to the right you will quickly encounter another fork.

Going to the left gets you this

While going to the right actually gets you some interesting scenery

and then the trail just disappears.

So there is no real reason to keep going north after the end of the Esker Trail. In fact you might be best off walking only as far as the second intersection with the Hornbeam Trail and making a loop of it.

The northern intersection with the Hornbeam Trail approaching from the south

The northern intersection of the Hornbeam Trail approaching from the north

The Hornbeam Trail runs parallel to the Esker Trail along the swampy lowland. There is a nice new boardwalk that makes the walk easier during muddier days.

If you, like me, believe that trails should be bordered by lichen-covered stone walls, the Hornbeam should not be missed.

Eventually you will come to a fork.

If you go to the right you will rejoin the Esker Trail and soon reach the exit. If you go to the left you will join the increasingly decrepit "Fit Trail."

Keep going past the pull-up bars (or do some pull-ups if you feel like it) and you will come to the edge of the old Nike Missile site, now the site of the brand new Needham Community Farm.

If you are allergic to bee stings you are advised to keep your distance.

It is an easy walk through the fit trail back out to the meadow.

Official trail maps can be downloaded from the Town of Needham website. Just remember that not all the trails on the map are passable at present. There is a meeting about the future of Ridge Hill, February 9, 2012 at 7:15 p.m. at the Needham Library.

Ridge Hill Reservation: North Trail-Chestnut Trail loop

2012-01-29T07:53:00.000-08:00

Sign at the Trail Head for North Trail at Ridge Hill Reservation

North Trail is the trail I usually take if I'm looking for a short "walk in the woods" at Ridge Hill. To get there you need to walk past the special event buildings and through the picnic area. Soon you will see a trail map (though right now this is still under construction).

As you walk north on North Trail there is a grove of tall white pine to the left.

This is a great place to find pine warblers in the spring.

Soon you will see a fork in the trail.

Stay to the right. The trail to the left is unnamed (It offers a direct path to the Wellesley trail system.)

Very quickly you will see what remains of the "Drumlin Trail" to the left.

At present it is overgrown and a great place to pick up ticks. Avoid it. It rejoins the North Trail further on anyway.

Overgrown Drumlin Trail.

Soon you will come to the spot (on the right) where the Chestnut Trail joins the North Trail.

Chestnut Trail to the right

Make a mental note of this spot. You can take the Chestnut Trail as an alternative route back.

Keep walking up the North Trail and eventually the trail will open onto a gas line easement.

Gas line easement. "Beard Trail" is across the way.

This is officially the end of North Trail. Across the easement you will see a Wellesley Trail System arrow. This is "Beard Trail"--part of Ridge Hill but really more integrated with the Wellesley system. I usually continue walking north along the easement.

White-tailed deer getting to know one another.

I find the easement a great way to see and hear wildlife. White-tailed deer can be seen pretty consistently. Poachers (hunting is not allowed in Ridge Hill) know this too so it is best to wear orange during hunting season. Today I got to watch three deer (what I assume were young bucks post antlers) do a little dominance negotiation (ears down, tail to the side, some aggressive behavior). And then they saw me.

White-tailed deer, Ridge Hill Reservation, Needham, MA

This is where I saw a weasel catch a rabbit a couple of years ago. Right now the chickadees are singing. Later in the spring you can hear warblers and wood thrush.

The easement can be pretty swampy the further north you walk. You will eventually come to a stream.

It is time to turn around.

Walk back to North Trail and this time on your way south you can take the Chestnut Trail.

Chestnut Trail to the left

Depending on the time of year the trail can be hard to see--last year it was obscured by the growth of young pine trees--so keep your eyes open.

At one point the Chestnut Trail was carefully managed as an educational nature walk. Here is a sample of the old signage.

American Chestnut sign (on Red Birch tree)

Now the trail is in a bit of disrepair, with at least one large tree fall blocking the path. Even more discouraging is the "Swamp Trail, which branches off on the left when you are traveling south.

Swamp Trail (white trail marker)

The Swamp Trail used to connect the western trails with the major eastern trail, the "Esker Trail." No longer.

There used to be a boardwalk here.

Once during a winter cold snap I did manage (wearing rubber boots) to walk the former trail. But this trail is badly in need of an Eagle Scout boardwalk project. During the summer, needless to say, the mosquitoes make this area pretty unpleasant anyway.

If you continue to walk south on the Chestnut Trail (a great place to encounter scarlet tanagers in June) you will emerge behind the Ridge Hill Reservation garage, not far from the start of North Trail.

Official trail maps can be downloaded from the Town of Needham website. Just remember that not all the trails on the map are passable at present. There is a meeting about the future of Ridge Hill, February 9, 2012 at 7:15 p.m. at the Needham Library.

The Bluebirds think it's Spring

2012-01-28T06:44:00.000-08:00

Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Who am I to disagree?

Hear them sing.

The other side of Ridge Hill Reservation

2012-01-25T13:18:00.000-08:00

Ridge Hill Reservation, trail "across the street"

Across Charles River Street from the main Ridge Hill property is a smaller section that (at least in theory) goes all the way to the banks of the Charles River. There is a straight route through but if you stay to your left on the way in you will loop along the perimeter. The highlight in this woods--dense hemlock groves, including some huge trees, lots of small ones, some agelid-killed.

There is a small brook that runs through the center of the property, offering some intact and picturesque crossings.

And when you get to the end, the trail opens onto a gorgeous meadow, with lovely weathered nesting boxes.

Regrettably, this appears to be private property (there's no signage but also no indication of public access on the official Ridge Hill map).

Wildlife, particularly deer, seems to be thriving. I ran across several huge burrows. What do you suppose lives here?

And spent some quiet moments trying not to scare off a white-tail doe.

She walked calmly away, carefully lifting and placing her feet through the brush and leaves.

There is a public meeting about the future of Ridge Hill Reservation on February 9th (7:15 at the library).

Leucistic Goldfinch Year 3

2012-01-21T07:42:00.000-08:00

Leucistic Goldfinch

I was thrilled to see my old friend, the leucistic goldfinch, waiting for its turn at the window feeder this morning. What a gorgeous bird. Perfect plumage for a day like today.

Happy New Year Cutler Style

2012-01-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

Cutler Park, Needham, MA

Took a walk from one end of Cutler to the other (and back). The temperature was in the 50s.

The willow on the ditch, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

Mergansers on the river. People and their dogs and their children on the trails.

Cutler Pond, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

A coating of ice on the pond (not for long).

Christmas visit to Bullocks Cove

2011-12-25T16:13:00.000-08:00

Bullocks Cove, Barrington, RI

The annual post-Christmas dinner walk down to Haines Park and Bullocks Cove. The weather was mild and the water was still and the tide was low. The sun just about to emerge from behind the cloud cover.

Ducks, coots, wigeons, mergansers, scaup, brant, geese, swans...

Hooded Mergansers, Bullocks Cove, Barrington, RI

Greater Scaup, Bullocks Cove, Barrington, RI

Always something interesting. From confusing tide marks on pilings

to conch piles and burnt-down port-a-potties.

Why would someone burn down a port-a-potty? Why would someone pile up conchs (still in their shells) in front of it? Is this some kind of RISD art installation?

My Christmas Bird Count, 2011.

2011-12-24T06:21:00.000-08:00

An annual tradition, a Christmas Bird Count, old school Bird Lore style. Things were a little quiet this morning compared with last year.

Needham, Mass.--Dec, 24; 7:15-8:45 A.M. Overcast; ground bare; tem., 22°. Canada Goose, 1; Mallard, 16; Hooded Merganser, 4; Common Merganser, 4; Great Blue Heron, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Rock Pigeon, 5; Mourning Dove, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 3; American Crow, 8; Black-capped Chickadee, 12; Tufted Titmouse, 1; White-breasted Nuthatch, 2; American Robin, 3; Northern Mockingbird, 1; American Tree Sparrow, 3; Song Sparrow, 3; Dark-eyed Junco, 4; Northern Cardinal, 1; Red-winged Blackbird, 4; American Goldfinch ; 5. Total, 22 species, 86 individuals.

Plum Island

2011-11-26T12:49:00.000-08:00

Early morning walk on the beach at Plum Island.

Snowy owl at the edge of the dunes.

Hunters on the water shooting scoters.

Harrier inland hunting crows.

Cutler Cattails

2011-11-13T10:33:00.000-08:00

Cutler Park, Needham, MA

It's luminous cattail time of year.

Millennium Park Snow Buntings

2011-11-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

Millennium Park, West Roxbury, MA

A most gorgeous November day. Thought I'd take a sunny late morning stroll around Millennium Park. I won't lie--I'd heard there might be snow buntings.

Snow Buntings, Millennium Park, West Roxbury, MA

It didn't take long to find them. I'd barely begun when a small flock flew onto the path about twenty feet ahead of me.

Snow Buntings, Millennium Park, West Roxbury, MA

Why were they so attracted to the pavement?

Snow Buntings, Millennium Park, West Roxbury, MA

Drinking water. They stayed for a couple of minutes. And then like snow buntings, they flew off all at once together.

Snow Buntings, Millennium Park, West Roxbury, MA

Nice to have the snow bunting craving satisfied so early in the season....

Our AWESOME birding trip to the North Shore

2011-10-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

Lily birding Safari-style, Plum Island, Newburyport, MA

Another day, another dozen birds to check off a brand-new life list (and stamps to add to the MassAudubon Passport to Nature). We headed north to Plum Island. Goal: ducks and sandpipers.

Mostly American Wigeons, Salt Pannes, Plum Island, Newburyport, MA

Close to perfect fall duck day. We got gadwalls, wigeons, scaup, pintails, shovelers,

Northern Shoveler female, Salt Pannes, Plum Island, Newburyport, MA

ruddy ducks, eiders, green-winged teal, and even a redhead (!) barely viewed through a kindly offered scope.

Yellowlegs, Plum Island, Newburyport, MA

Sandpiper activity was also amazing. We parked at lot 7 and walked out to the beach.

This is when every interest Lily had in birds disappeared.

Black-bellied plovers and a sanderling, Plum Island, Newburyport, MA

Look Lily! Black-bellied plovers, sanderlings, dunlins! Oh wow, is that a red knot?

There's at least one red knot in there, I'm sure of it.

Lily nodded but didn't even hold up her binoculars. She would get to count the species but she didn't have to care. There was a whole beach to play on! (Meanwhile, immense sandpiper clouds were blowing up the coast).

Rockery Pond, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield, MA

A quick stop at Joppa Flats for a stamp and a gift store purchase and we were off to Ipswich River. This to finish our weekend trifecta of direct bird contact:

Lily in a now familiar pose, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield, MA

Hand-feeding the chickadees! And titmice and nuthatches.

Very friendly white-breasted nuthatch, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield, MA

I'm not sure how we are going to top this weekend. Our MassAudubon stamp count is up to six. Only four more and we get a prize! Where should we go next?

Our EPIC bird day in Western Mass

2011-10-22T16:37:00.000-07:00

Lily and Harris's Hawk #95, New England Falconry, Hadley, MA

Up at sunrise and out the door for the two-hour drive to Lenox, MA. The reason: Bird-banding at MassAudubon's Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.

Lily's become very interested in birds recently, but I know that birding of the walking-through-woods-and-fields variety can get tedious very quickly for a seven year-old. So I've been searching for more direct forms of interaction.

Lily just about to release a chickadee, Pleasant Valley, Lenox, MA

The bird-banding session at Pleasant Valley was just the right scale, a good combination of skillful veterans, active but not crazily active mist nets, and indulgence of a second grader. Thus Lily got to release not only a chickadee but a nuthatch.

Lily about to release a nuthatch, Pleasant Valley, Lenox, MA

What a lovely place and what a lovely bunch of folks. Lily was completely thrilled by the experience. (Me too).

Harris's Hawk #95, New England Falconry, Hadley, MA

And then we moved on to New England Falconry in Hadley, about an hour away. Lily is crazy for peregrine falcons (the result of a Wild Kratts episode, I think). So I arranged for a short instructional session that would allow both her (and me) to do a little bit of hawk handling.

Lily and the Harris's Hawk, New England Falconry, Hadley, MA

I had seen Harris's Hawks in El Paso and was charmed by their sociability (not to me, to each other). These are alert, relatively self-controlled raptors. Chris Davis, the Master Falconer, gave us a little introductory talk and then we had the chance to have the veteran Harris's hawk male, #95, land on our outstretched gloved hands.

Lily took this one

Another delightful, thrilling outing. I highly recommend the experience.

We weren't ready to go home, so as long as we were in the area we thought we might check out another local MassAudubon property, Arcadia, in Easthampton.

Lily on the sensory trail, Arcadia, Easthampton,MA

More loveliness, and there were plenty of song birds around, including palm warblers and juncos, to point at. And best of all, Lily got a new stamp for her MassAudubon Passport to Nature book. This stamp project, which started at Broadmoor last week and continued at Habitat in Belmont, is going to take us more places in the coming weeks (tomorrow's plan: Joppa Flats and Ipswich River).

Giant Puffball Alert!

2011-10-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

Giant Puffball, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

I don't eat them but I know some people do. This one is 6-8 inches in diameter. See it near nesting box #4 (where the chickadees used to live).

Mice eviction fails to bring me joy

2011-10-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

White-footed Mouse nest, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

A gorgeous fall day. Time to take care of unfinished business--removing the mouse nest from nesting box 7.

Mice really can't be allowed to take up residency in nesting boxes. They poop the place up and they can carry significant diseases.

I'd been putting this off for some time. I didn't want to evict any tiny dependent creatures. But surely the babies were mature by now. And it was better to evict them during the beautiful weather than later, when it would be harder for them to gather new nesting material.

White-footed Mice, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

I wasn't quite prepared, though, for the abject terror.

I'd assumed that they would jump right out of the box to the grass below. One, in fact, did.

I certainly didn't expect them to climb up.

My reflection in a terrified mouse's eye.

As they weren't going to leave while I was standing there, I decided to go. As I turned, overhead flew a shrieking red-tailed hawk. Had it been watching me the whole time?

I think this post needs a bluebird chaser...

Eastern Bluebirds, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Mid October at the Charles River Peninsula

2011-10-16T06:25:00.000-07:00

Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Quiet this morning with pockets of intense liveliness. Led by the return of the savannah sparrows.

Savannah Sparrow, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Joining the tail-flipping palm warblers

Palm Warbler, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

And the yellow-rumped warblers, building in numbers.

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Also large groups of chipping and song sparrows, some singing. Fall migration is beginning to wind down.

Zoo Ducks

2011-10-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

Hooded Merganser, Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, MA

Lily and I went to the Franklin Park Zoo on Columbus Day. Our favorite exhibit: the duck pond in the Children's Zoo. There seem to be more native North American species there now than I've seen in the past: hooded mergansers, goldeneye (Barrow's), wood ducks (hiding under a bush), buffleheads, canvasbacks, black ducks, and of course, mallards.

Barrow's Goldeneye, Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, MA

Such close proximity does tend to bring out the testosterone, though. The male bufflehead was chasing everything close by. He would dive and attack from below, which sent ducks, especially goldeneye and hoodies, scurrying all over the pond. Other times he would get up steam and fly like a dart, causing waterfowl in his path to, well, duck....

After the bufflehead calmed down, the testosterone moved on to the hooded mergansers. As documented below, two males went into full-on display mode. We were close enough to hear the croaky/buzzy call accompanying the display.

Lily, as you can hear above, thought it great fun. I agreed.

Low Hawk

2011-10-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

Red-tailed Hawk on Shagbark Hickory, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

For the second morning in a row I've avoided walking up the hickory hill at the CRP because it looked like someone was hanging out there. Yesterday, I spotted a gentleman with a gray brush cut. (It turned out to be the tail of a gray squirrel sitting on the fallen limb.) Today, a more dominating presence--a red-tailed hawk.

It is unusual to see a hawk sitting down so low.

It was evidently waiting for a squirrel to emerge from the hollows of the tree (perhaps my gray brush cut gentleman from the previous day).

And the hill provides an ideal prospect from which to see potential prey in the meadow.

Milkweed Dew

2011-10-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

Dew on Milkweed, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

It's misty most mornings at the CRP these days.

Good for sunbeams.

And dew-soaked milkweed.

So many different shapes.

In other news: Bluebirds everywhere.

Eastern Bluebirds, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Not all getting along.

Eastern Bluebirds, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Click on the photo above for a closer look.

October for the win

2011-10-05T12:48:00.000-07:00


Palm Warbler, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

For me nothing beats the cool, dry, sunny October day.

Pine Warbler, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

May is nice but it's all about anticipation.

Eastern Bluebird, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

October is about appreciation.

Snapping Turtle (Baby edition)

2011-10-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

Snapping Turtle Hatchling, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

This isn't the first tiny snapping turtle I've seen sunning itself on the trail at the CRP.

Snapping Turtle, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

But it was the most active one I've seen. Eyes wide open.

Snapping Turtle, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

And I've seen its giant mother laying eggs on the other side of the field.

Snapping Turtle, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

I was a little concerned for the safety of this one right in the middle of a regularly traveled path so I moved it off path, closer to the river bank.

Also on the concern list: this orchard oriole.

Orchard Oriole, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

It really should be moving on.

Cutler Ravens

2011-09-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

Flooded Trail, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

A wonderful day to be out this morning, though it was bite-through-your clothes and fly-in-your nose buggy. I was glad I wore my muck boots.

Swamp sparrow, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

Swamp sparrows everywhere. And plenty of goldfinches and yellowthroats.

Common yellowthroat, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

But the ravens won the day.

Common Raven, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

I initially took its croak for a great blue heron and then I saw the giant black form flying from Pine Island over to the powerlines. And then I saw another one.

Common Ravens, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

This wasn't a complete surprise. I've seen a raven flyover at Millennium Park, just across the river. But this was a first for me at Cutler itself. And they were perched.

Common Raven, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

One seemed to be the dominant bird. I suspect the other was a juvenile.

Common Raven, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

It was doing a little hop dance. Fly up a little and then right back down.

Common Raven, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

I will admit being a little insecure about crow vs. raven identifications. But look at the throat on that bird above. That's a fine set of hackles.

Fall warblers, plus more insects on my clothing!

2011-09-23T15:09:00.000-07:00

Common yellow-throat, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

'Tis the season for migrating fall warblers, and I'm happy to say they are beginning to show up at Charles River Peninsula. Nothing too exotic--mostly redstarts, pine warblers, yellow-throats--but I am always thrilled when the palm warblers arrive (they've been around for about a week).

Palm warbler, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

While I was waiting for the palm warbler to come out into the open I let a firefly land on my arm. (At least I think it's a firefly--it's not entirely clear).

Firefly on my sleeve, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

This Virginia Ctenucha wouldn't land on me, though it did stay still for a macro shot.

Virginia Ctenucha, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

And a September post wouldn't be complete without a gratuitous bluebird photo.

Eastern Bluebird, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Make sure to check your jeans for deer ticks and GIANT HORNTAILS?

2011-09-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

New England Aster, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The last day we will see sun forever, according to the local weather people, so I thought I should probably get a walk in. Good conditions for macro insect/flower photos.

Here's something on a late goldenrod.

And a tiny bee on an aster.

And a GIANT HORNTAIL ON MY PANTS.

To be fair, I more or less invited it to land on me, offering my leg as it flew in my direction. I didn't expect it to be quite so interested in my jeans, though. Once invited it apparently believed it owned the place.

I eventually was able to shake it off. And then it came back, this time intending to land on my hand. Not cool, giant horntail.

Summer's over

2011-09-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Early morning frost on a horse nettle leaf, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Time to wear gloves and a jacket out in the morning.

Sharpie terrorizes berry party.

2011-09-18T03:59:00.000-07:00

Sharp-shinned hawk, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The berry party had just started as I arrived. Catbirds, robins, and a dozen bluebirds arriving to finish off what was left of the pokeberries. Then all of a sudden without warning, they all took off at once and swiftly flew to the other side of the field.

Interesting. I started seeing bluejays flying silently, intent on something. And then I heard the shriek. A sharp-shinned hawk in close pursuit of a flicker!

I wasn't able to take any good photos but I thought at least I'd record it, so here it is, in four segments.

Recording one: hear the commotion as the red squirrel and bluejays set off the alarm. The sharpie is responsible for the harshest outbursts. Hear it yell twice at the end. The terrified flicker is also in there.

Recording two: Note the lack of bird sound (only some distant robin tuts) in the background. Then the bluejays attack in force.

Recording three: The bluejay harassment grows as do the sharpie's cries of annoyance.

Recording four: Remarkably, even though the sharpie is nearby, song birds (particularly the catbirds, bluebirds, and song sparrow) begin calling again. As if to say, OK the bluejays have got this one. We can resume what we were doing.

Trees full of northern rough-winged swallows

2011-09-16T16:31:00.000-07:00

Northern rough-winged swallow, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

For the last two weeks the swallow population in the trees and on the high voltage wires at Charles River Peninsula has been growing and growing. Now there is easily a hundred, probably more.

Northern rough-winged swallows, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

They gather perched most of the time but occasionally burst into the air all at once.

Northern rough-winged swallows, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The swallows in the tree branches sit and preen. Sometimes a couple will take off in chase.

Northern rough-winged swallows, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

So many swallows.

Northern rough-winged swallows, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Note: I've been hesitant to identify these birds because both rough-winged and juvenile tree swallows are brown. I've also seen large gatherings of tree swallows at the CRP during this time of year. But I've finally decided to call these northern rough-winged based on the patterns of brown and white on their plumage and the fact that I haven't seen a single bird in this group that could be called an adult tree swallow.

Meadow full of bluebirds

2011-09-11T16:05:00.000-07:00

Eastern Bluebird, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

This was one of those mornings. Bluebird chatter audible across the field. I counted at least twelve, each on its own milkweed stalk.

Eastern Bluebird, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The pokeberry party continues and the bluebirds have joined the robins and the catbirds and the waxwings in gobbling berries.

Eastern Bluebird, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Every once in a while three or four would take off at once. The chase was on.

Eastern Bluebird, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

And sometimes they would chase goldfinches. And sometimes the goldfinches would chase them. And everyone was chasing the pine warblers. Especially the pine warblers.

Eastern Bluebird, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Blue-winged warbler up in an oak tree. Red squirrels biting off the stems of hickory nuts and letting them crash through the foliage. Northern rough-winged swallows gathering on the power lines over the river. Late summer is a good time of year at Charles River Peninsula.

Plovers at High Tide

2011-09-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

Semipalmated Plovers, Marginal Way, Ogunquit, Maine

At high tide the Ogunquit plovers retreat to the rocks.

Semipalmated Plovers, Marginal Way, Ogunquit, Maine

There they stretch and preen and sleep and peer at worm holes in small patches of wet sand.

Semipalmated Plovers, Marginal Way, Ogunquit, Maine

Try to count them all.

Now for a special task count all of these.

Pokeberry Party

2011-09-04T05:41:00.000-07:00

Cedar Waxwing, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The pokeberries are ripe and the migrating, and soon-to-be-migrating, birds at Charles River Peninsula are taking full advantage. The most birds I've seen during a morning walk since late June. In addition to the waxwings, robins, bluebirds, and catbirds sucking down berries, and the multitude of goldfinches and song sparrows among the weeds, there were blue-gray gnatcatchers, willow flycatchers, yellow-throated vireos (two males singing from opposite sides of the field), warbling vireos, house wrens, and even a glimpse of an orchard oriole (pretty late for that bird, I think) in the trees and bushes.

Orchard Oriole, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

And as I observed the pokeberry party, I heard a half-familiar chatter in the goldenrod behind me. I turned to see not the house wren I thought it was, but a genuine marsh wren, my first ever for the CRP. A new patch bird!

Marsh Wren, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

I am very much looking forward to fall migration.

Charles River Peninsula after Irene

2011-09-02T16:52:00.000-07:00

Fallen Oak, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

It could have been worse. One large oak tree, already half dead and a favorite of woodpeckers and other cavity dwellers, now lies across the trail between (former) nesting box 1 and (former) nesting box 2. Dog walkers have already created a path around the tree, venturing into the deer tick-rich vegetation.

Shag-bark Hickory, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, Ma

The other major loss: a giant branch torn off from the scenic shag-bark hickory.

Shag-bark Hickory, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

A reassuring note: the songs sparrows, house wrens, and catbirds are loving it.

House Wren, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Turns out that trees on the ground are great sources of brush coverage and insects. I watched a catbird excitedly snapping up moths left and right from the fallen branches.

Common Nighthawk, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

And what late summer evening would be complete without a nighthawk swooping across the sky.

Maine Coast Day 6: Freeport and Portland

2011-09-01T04:55:00.000-07:00

Portland Head Light, Fort Williams Park, Portland, Maine

On our way home, an overnight in Freeport. Out early the next morning I hit nearby Mast Landing Sanctuary, but it was wet, dark and buggy and the trails were unreliably marked so after spotting a Canada warbler I left to try someplace else. Really more or less by accident I ended up at Wolfe's Neck State Park. And there I had a genuine north woods experience.

Pileated Woodpecker, Wolfe's Neck State Park, Freeport, Maine

I've seen pileated woodpeckers locally but always from a distance. At Wolfe's Neck, very close to the parking area, I came across a group of three pileateds on a trailside tree. Two quickly left but one was too absorbed in a tree hole to leave with them.

Pileated Woodpecker, Wolfe's Neck State Park, Freeport, Maine

The bird was eye-level and I was able to approach to about 15 feet. See the woodpecker warn me off in the video below.

A suitable encounter to end an enjoyable natural history tour of the Maine Coast.

Bonus Quiz:

Find the plumage mistakes in the gift shop birds above.

Maine Coast Day 5: Sunrise at Settlement Quarry

2011-08-31T07:03:00.000-07:00

Settlement Quarry, Stonington, Maine

Up early again, I thought I would explore another Island Heritage Trust property, this time on the east coast of Deer Isle--Settlement Quarry. As I was walking down the trail towards the quarry, I began to hear a clamorous noise--gulls! Lots of them! I rushed down the trail to see what was causing the commotion.

Gulls, Settlement Quarry, Stonington, Maine

On the pier below the quarry there was a fishing boat and a large open container of fish, apparently offered freely to the local gull population.

Gulls, Settlement Quarry, Stonington, Maine

They were taking full advantage.

Osprey, Settlement Quarry, Stonington, Maine

An osprey joined the mob for a while, though I don't think it ever got the nerve to grab a fish.

Gulls, Settlement Quarry, Stonington, Maine

Gulls not competing for their share of fish rested on large blocks of granite nearby. A good place for gull ID practice, I suppose. Which I will leave for others to enjoy.

Maine Coast Day 4: Barred Island Preserve

2011-08-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

Barred Island Preserve, Deer Isle, Maine

Up early and out to Barred Island Preserve by 6:00 a.m. I was the only one on the trails while I was there. More spruce and moss with the slight prospect (unmet) of boreal chickadees or crossbills. Lots of twittering in the upper branches--courtesy golden-crowned kinglets and juncos. Yellow-rumped warblers in big numbers too.

Barred Island Preserve, Deer Isle, Maine

And look at that: a genuine Deer Isle deer.

White-tailed Deer, Deer Isle, Maine

And a sharpie/Cooper's(?) that tolerated my presence for a moment.

The Barred Island trail leads right to the coast. You get some elevated looks at the islands to the south-west of Deer Isle.

But the preserve is named for what is at the end: Barred Island. And because it was high tide the island was barred to me.

No matter. I returned with the girls in the afternoon. After eating lunch at the Cockatoo at Goose Cove, we walked the rocks around the edge of the preserve until we got to the sand bar.

Note that Barred Island Preserve was now rather heavily populated. Folks come for the beach and the walk around the island (you can't actually enter the woods in the middle).

Maine Coast Day 3: Acadia National Park

2011-08-29T05:43:00.000-07:00

Spotted Sandpiper, Bass Harbor Marsh, Bar Harbor, Maine

For my birthday, my brilliant wife had arranged a 4-hour tour of the Acadia area with Michael Good of Down East Nature Tours. We were to meet up at 5:30 a.m. A hermit thrush was singing while I waited. A good omen.

The birding was good for late August. Lots of yellow-rumped warblers (TOO EARLY!) migrating through, as well as local breeders such as northern parula and black-throated greens. Zillions of twittering golden-crowned kinglets.

The highlight of the morning was discovered behind MDI High School. A female peregrine falcon.

Peregrine Falcon, Bar Harbor, Maine

It was bothering a crow when we arrived. And then we saw the blue jays. Dozens of them (we ended up counting at least 40).

Initially they kept their distance. Wisely.

Peregrine Falcon, Bar Harbor, Maine

But eventually the blue jays got bolder and bolder. A very short video gives you a taste below.

Several kinds of ducks were in the area (keeping an appropriately low profile), including female hoodies.

Hooded Mergansers, Bar Harbor, Maine

We spent much of our time later in the morning at Acadia's lovely Ship Harbor.

View from Ship Harbor Nature Trail, Acadia National Park, Maine

Black guillemots are very common birds along the down east Maine coast, and rather uncommon winter birds in Massachusetts (in much drabber plumage), so I welcomed every opportunity to see them. Here's an immature and a probable parent bird in Ship Harbor.

Black Guillemot, Ship Harbor, Acadia National Park, Maine

On the flip side, there was some excitement over this eastern kingbird, apparently an uncommon bird in these parts.

Eastern Kingbird, Ship Harbor, Acadia National Park, Maine

I was grateful to have a knowledgeable guide for this tour. Acadia is such a large, diverse place that I wouldn't have known how to start. And I certainly wouldn't have started at the local high school. And I absolutely wouldn't have gotten a close-up view of a red-bellied snake!

Red-bellied Snake, Ship Harbor, Acadia National Park, Maine

Thanks, Michael. (And thanks especially to my brilliant wife).

Maine Coast Day 2: The Road to Acadia

2011-08-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

Spotted Sandpipers, Goose Cove, Deer Isle, Maine

After waiting out a nasty thunderstorm, we took a brief stop at Goose Cove (we would return), and then headed out to visit friends on Mount Desert Island.

We had lunch in Blue Hill along the way. A guide book described a bird-oriented shop in town. We couldn't find it. We did find a picnic table looking over a lovely little estuary. I sat and observed while everyone else shopped. Gulls, terns, yellow-legs, even a kingfisher.

Blue Hill, Maine

Lots of little gulls with the little spot behind the eye that usually indicates Bonaparte's in non-breeding plumage.

Blue Hill, Maine

But there was a diversity of looks so I think some (if not all) of them were actually laughing gulls.

Blue Hill, Maine

The strong black wing tips on the bird above indicates laughing. And the black headed gulls below are almost certainly laughing. Oh gull ID....

Blue Hill, Maine

Action was provided by a common tern.

Common Tern, Blue Hill, Maine

We made good time up to Bar Harbor. Our introduction to Acadia National Park: a drive along the park loop road and up Cadillac Mountain.

View from Mt. Cadillac, Acadia National Park, Maine

A good preview of the day to come.

Maine Coast Day 1: Deer Isle

2011-08-27T08:51:00.000-07:00


Morning scene from our cottage property, Deer Isle, Maine

Oh Maine is lovely in late August. We rented a cottage on Deer Isle for the week. Life in the midst of the mossy-floored spruce forest.

With a neighborly great blue heron across the cove.

It was a terrific home base for adventures to come.

Nature Photos from Daddy Camp

2011-08-19T16:19:00.000-07:00

Juno the friendly Beluga Whale pretends to eat Lily's head, Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT

A few father-daughter excursions this past week, each with a nature angle. The Museum of Science butterfly garden, for example, provided some nice butterfly/moth photo opportunities.

Blue Morpho, Museum of Science, Cambridge, MA

Atlas Moth, Museum of Science, Cambridge, MA

Brown Clipper, Museum of Science, Cambridge, MA

Then a somewhat more ambitious trek to Mystic Aquarium, where Lily got to hang with world famous mariachi dancer, Juno. While we were visiting, they tried to recreate the moment, but as you can see, weren't entirely successful.

Lily and I missed the mariachi performance but showed up in time to watch them get b-roll for what I assume is a more extensive production. Or PR piece.

And, except for the budgie that wouldn't leave her seed stick and the cockatiel that pooped on her arm, Lily enjoyed feeding the "exotic" birds at the Aquarium's bird tent. More photo ops.

Finally, a day closer to home. Lily and I stopped by the CRP to check nesting boxes. (Box 7 a mouse popped out). We also checked every milkweed we saw for monarch caterpillars. No monarchs, but we did spot this awesome wooly guy.

Milkweed Tiger Moth caterpillar, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The grapes on the property are moving into ripeness. Lily and I spotted this bunch just about ready to go.

We also spotted a guy clipping off ripe bunches near the Redwing Bay parking lot. He drove off in his unmarked white van.

A lovely week of summer.

Goldenrod days at Charles River Peninsula

2011-08-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

Swamp Milkweed Beetle, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The goldenrod is in full bloom and the insects are taking full advantage. And I can't resist a macro bug shot.

Goldenrod Leaf Beetle (maybe), Charles River Peninsula, MA

The beetle above looks like the farmer's nemesis, the striped cucumber beetle, but the spots on the area between the wings and the head suggest otherwise. This is one of the "Triirhabda" species, which are difficult to identify precisely. Their black wormy larvae can be seen munching on goldenrod leaves earlier in the season.

Anchor Stink Bug, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Then there's this delightfully decorated insect, a beneficial variety of stink bug. It was quite fearful of me but never took flight. And I got a lot of shots of it running away.

Check out the polka dots on its side.

I will admit a terrible weakness for macro shots of tiny bees and flies

Other wildflowers in bloom include the lovely groundnut.

Groundnut blossom, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The groundnut is a native vine known more for its delicious root than its impressive blossom clusters.

And some berries are beginning to ripen, to the pleasure of the cedar waxwings.

You can hear the waxwings at the CRP, including youngsters (barely visible in the shot below)

happily buzzing away.

Seasons on the Charles River

2011-08-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

I've been taking photos from the same position capturing the same approximate scene for about 3 years now. Recent construction work has altered the scene so the project had to come to a halt. But I've posted a slide show comprising a sample of the photos (3-5 per month) organized from January to December. The resolution is better (obviously) in the original photos, but I invite you to watch this in full screen HD mode.

The photos were taken from the canoe launch at the Charles River Peninsula in Needham, MA facing the "Cochrane" bridge.
This is what has happened to the bridge since:
April

May

July

I trust the bridge will be restored to its original beauty at the end of the construction project.

Blasé Coyote

2011-07-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

There it was, ambling through the athletic field at the Cambridge School of Weston.

A little too used to humans, I think. As I moved closer to take the photo, it moved closer to get a better look at me. (And pick up something to chew).

In fact, it was so blasé about my presence that I was going to call it a dog. And then it trotted right into the woods, no owner in sight...

Narrow River, Narragansett

2011-07-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

Great Egrets (and clammer), Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

My mom had a groupon deal for a kayak rental outfit in Narragansett, so there I went with Lily to join other members of the family for a mid-day salt water kayak excursion.

The weather was clear and sunny, the water calm, the tide going out. The shorebird life was teeming.

Snowy Egret, Greater Yellowlegs, and Willet, Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

And osprey were abundant, five or six visible in the sky at a time.


Osprey, three in the nest, Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

We were able to get very close to some birds. It did cause us to get stuck on sandbars once or twice.

Young terns, Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

This cormorant was blocking the landing at Gooseberry Island. I wonder if it was molting. It wouldn't fly away.

And willets were everywhere.

Willet and semipalmated plover, Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

Oh shorebirds. How I still can't identify you...

Willet and Dowitcher (?), Narrow River, Narragansett, RI

Wild Turkey roosting in our tree

2011-07-21T11:02:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, Wild Turkey!

I think it is comforting to have a wild turkey, such a large animal, visibly roosting in our tree at night. And we are grateful for the feathers it is leaving us.

Wild Turkey feathers, both wing and tail.

And we are especially glad it is no longer roosting above our cars. (We will have a healthy pile of turkey guano by the end of the summer).

Mid-July at Charles River Peninsula

2011-07-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

Great Blue Heron, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

It's mid-summer. What more to say? The heron takes up its normal place on the river.

American Goldfinch, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The only birds putting much energy into their songs are the goldfinch. And this one is molting already?

Monarch Butterfly, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

And monarch butterflies abound. Soon we'll be able to see their young munching on the milkweed.

Barn Swallows get fed

2011-07-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

Barn Swallows, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

While I was cleaning out nesting boxes at the CRP this morning, I noticed this group of young barn swallows in a nearby tree.

Barn Swallows, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The parents were actively feeding them. If you look closely above you can see a flying insect in the middle one's beak.

Barn Swallows, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Above is the classic shot. I wish I had been a bit closer.

Nest box vandalism at the Charles River Peninsula

2011-07-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

Box 1 Former nest of house sparrow

Sometime this week after the morning of the Fourth (the last time I was on the property) vandals knocked down two nesting boxes at the Charles River Peninsula and destroyed an active tree swallow nest.

Box 2 Former nest of tree swallow

As the volunteer caretaker of these boxes for the last few months this hits hard.

Box 3 Former tree swallow nest

The first two boxes were effectively empty--an unsuccessful male house sparrow controlling the first and young tree swallows recently fledged from the other. It is the gratuitous destruction of the active tree swallow nest (box 3 has been cursed this year) that leaves me speechless. There were chicks in there.

Mute swan and cygnets, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

So we won't be putting box 1 or box 2 back up, this year at least. And I wouldn't blame the tree swallow parents for abandoning box 3. But time will tell. I'll keep checking...

A nest of baby robins

2011-07-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

Oh silly robins, building your nests in places commonsense would tell you are bad ideas. Such as the mountain laurel on my parents' deck. Guaranteed disturbances many times a day, especially during Fourth of July brick oven pizza parties. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!)

But these brand new robins seem to be weathering the disturbances fairly well.
Video below.

El Paso Day 3.5: Return to Rio Bosque Finale

2011-07-04T05:01:00.000-07:00

Burrowing Owl, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso, TX

One more evening in El Paso. One last chance to find a roadrunner. There were parts of Rio Bosque that I had not seen in two earlier trips, so there I went. Not another soul in sight. Except for roadside burrowing owls.

Burrowing Owl, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso, TX

And utility pole-top burrowing owls.

Burrowing Owl, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso, TX

I drove all the way down to the property's nature center, which features a short, well-maintained accessible trail and lusher vegetation than the other end of the park.

Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso TX

On the way down, egrets and a great blue heron in the canal.

Great Blue Heron, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso, TX

I walked the trail, watching Gambel's quails and their babies scatter ahead of me. Again and again. Tiny projectiles. And then I stopped short, as I saw something in the distance. Could it be? White-tailed kite.

White-tailed Kite, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso, TX

I knew they were nesting at Rio Bosque--it was one of the reasons I had wanted to come in the first place. Isn't that an amazing roosting profile? They saw me, as hawks will, from far away, so I didn't want to approach too closely for fear of losing them all together.

White-tailed Kite, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso, TX

Now that's a ghostly-looking bird. (Click on images to see a closer view).

The sun was beginning to set. Time to go home. Would I get to see the roadrunner? Would I set this artificial suspense narrative up if I hadn't?

There it was, on a roadside stump, preening itself. I watched for a while. I would end up seeing, on my drive out of the park, several more--one raced in front of the car (luckily I was moving pretty slowly).

Greater Roadrunner, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso, TX

When I got home and proudly displayed my roadrunner photo to Lily (the original source of the roadrunner-coyote quest), she was pleased but mildy dissatisfied. "I was hoping you'd get a photo of a roadrunner drinking from a cactus," she explained.

I've embedded a video version of this excursion below that includes several nice moments, including a super close up of an irritated burrowing owl, a grainy but viewable shot of a Gambel's quail family, and the preening roadrunner (interspersed, Disney Nature style, with shots of the earlier coyote).

El Paso Day 3: UTEP Campus

2011-07-03T06:19:00.000-07:00

Western Kingbird, UTEP Campus, El Paso, TX

The University of Texas El Paso maintains a lovely campus (and a large staff of early morning leaf-blowing maintenance workers). I was able to squeeze a little birding in before morning conference activities, mostly to see if I could get good looks at local garden-type birds.

Make no mistake, even though it is not pictured here--the dominant bird at UTEP is the great-tailed grackle, our Costa Rican friend. I am still astonished at the variety of (loud) noises that bird is capable of.

The best place on campus for close-up views of verdin and black-chinned hummingbirds is the little Chihuahuan Desert Gardens area surrounding the Centennial Museum.

Black-chinned hummingbird female, UTEP Campus, El Paso, TX

Verdin can be seen very regularly in the shady drip fountain area drinking droplets from the ceiling.

Verdin, UTEP Campus, El Paso, TX

The most surprising discovery was a pair of local thrashers (I'm going to call them curve-billed, though my ID is not 100%) that emerged from some hillside brush into the morning sunlight.

Curve-billed Thrasher, UTEP Campus, El Paso, TX

It is not a paradise for birds on the UTEP Campus, unfortunately. (Apparently) feral house-cats roam the grounds. I saw a few of them actively stalking birdlife.

Roadrunner? Maybe next time.

El Paso Day 2.5: Crossroads Pond

2011-07-02T10:48:00.000-07:00

American Avocets, Crossroads Pond, El Paso, TX

Crossroads Pond is a classic birder's spot. A small pond in a residential neighborhood surrounded on three sides by a chain link fence, with houses on the fourth side (ostensibly for whom the pond is maintained), it is an oasis for water birds, especially in the summer.

I was immediately greeted by a pair of black-necked stilts. These are normally birds known for their grace and elegance. But this pair went all willet on me, vocalizing and flying in wide circles around me the entire time I was there. And a little bit of dive-bombing, though never close enough to make me feel uncomfortable.

Black-necked Stilt, Crossroads Pond, El Paso, TX

Was this the object of their concern?

Black-necked stilt and American avocets, Crossroads Pond, El Paso, TX

I've grown to appreciate being attacked by birds. They should attack me. I (in general) represent a threat. And it's better than indifference. A tree swallow will look you right in the eyes as zooms toward your head.

Here's some video footage of the irritated stilts. You can still hear them in the background during the avocet shots.

And what's not to love about avocets? (Though one of them came after me too, taking its turn after the stilts and the killdeer)

American Avocets, Crossroads Pond, El Paso, TX

American Avocet, Crossroads Pond, El Paso, TX

Roadrunner? Not a chance.

Flora and Fauna of the Needham Community Farm area

2011-07-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

Lance-leaved Coreopsis, or tickseed, Needham Community Farm, Needham, MA

The raised beds that comprise the gardens of Needham Community Farm take up a relatively small part of the entire property. (It used to be the site of a Nike missile base, don't you know.) The rest is a meadow of long grasses and wildflowers. I took a walk through the meadow to see what I might find.

The meadow is dominated right now by the normal July bloomers: wild carrot and fleabane, with black-eyed Susans getting ready to bloom in large numbers. I was struck by the lovely tickseed (above) and a small stand of Deptford pink (below).

Deptford Pink, Needham Community Farm, Needham, MA

And this lovely low blooming flower that I don't recognize.

Unknown

Perhaps someone else does...

I was also interested in insect life, though I did not do an exhaustive survey. You can see black swallowtail, as well as abundant cabbage and sulfurs (not good but unavoidable). I was glad this eastern tailed blue decided to open its wings a bit.

Eastern Tailed Blue

There are many dragonflies of many sorts. (I always intend to indentify them, until I look at the long long species list), Here are some photos, nonetheless.

And this beetle, chewing on a common mullein, looks like a potential problem, no?

on the mullein

The bird scene was livelier that I remember. Right now the meadow is a nursery for chipping sparrows (I flushed over a dozen just walking through) and red-winged blackbirds. Common grackle and common crows flew over while I was there, making me think that concern about blackbirds in the garden is reasonable. Eastern towhee and scarlet tanager sang from the wood's edge. And no house sparrows that I could detect, making it safe to put up some nesting boxes.

El Paso Day 2: Rio Bosque Wetlands Park

2011-07-01T06:04:00.000-07:00

Burrowing Owl, El Paso, TX

I had a couple hours in the morning between sunrise and the start of the conference to do some exploring (and I'd been up since 4:30 anyway, given the two-hour shift to Mountain Time) so I headed out to Rio Bosque Wetlands Park. I would end up visiting the park three times during my trip, one time as part of an official conference activity, so I ended up knowing the park (and the route there) pretty well.

Rio Bosque Wetlands Park is only really a "wetland" during the moister winter months. During the summer, as I overheard a colleague say, it is a wetland without water, a riparian environment without a river. Actually that's not entirely true. A small section of the river, the original river bed of the Rio Grande, is kept wet by well water. Enough to satisfy the pair of mallard ducks I flushed as I walked the trail.

This is no desert. It is carefully managed as a wetland awaiting a more consistent diversion of water. Typical southwest invasives have been removed and native trees and other vegetation flourish. As do feral budgies, apparently.

Birdlife generally is rich, from Bell's vireos singing along the tree line and Cassin's sparrows singing in the long grass, to brief flashes of brilliant blue grosbeaks. And verdin feeding their quivering fledglings.

My favorites were the burrowing owls, easy to see throughout the area, essentially prairie dogs with wings.

Burrowing Owls, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso, TX

And a group of Harris's hawks, not as happy to see me as I was to see them.

Harris's Hawks, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso, TX

Harris's Hawk, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso, TX

These are the "smart" hawks, a social bunch, constantly communicating to each other the fact that I was coming.

And it wasn't just the Harris's hawks warily monitoring me. The U.S.-Mexico border fence runs along the edge of the wetland (actually through it in some parts) and a border patrol cruiser followed me along the fence line as I traveled through.

Roadrunner? Alas, no. But I did see a set of roadrunner footprints in the trail dust.

They were there! Maybe I would have better luck another time.

El Paso Day 1: Franklin Mountains State Park

2011-06-30T07:12:00.000-07:00

Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, Texas

Armed with a printout of El Paso birding spots downloaded from the local Audubon chapter, I drove my little rental car straight to Franklin Mountains State Park, a hat and a bottle of water in my hand, ready to face the 103 degree afternoon heat. In a genuine desert, the Chihuahuan.

I was greeted at the entrance by a giant grasshopper.

This was going to be great.

The Tom Mays unit, not far from Rte 10, includes a very mild nature trail complete with a bird blind/feeder set up. It felt a little like cheating but I spent most of my time there. Actually it was paradise.

What is it about new birds? I cannot deny the "listing" rush, the vision--with the bird right in front of you--of yourself back in a dark hotel room checking off an empty box in that forever open birding project. But that's just the start, a way of getting oriented. Who are the main characters in this story? Who will flit in, make an appearance and leave and who will become a constant companion?

The anchor birds for me were the ubiquitous chirping house finch, the mourning dove, and the white-winged dove, which I had seen quite a lot of in Costa Rica.

White-winged dove, Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX.

Everything else was new. The black-throated sparrow, a friendly little bird with a lovely song.

Black-throated Sparrow, Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX

The black-chinned hummingbird, the so-called southwest counterpart of the ruby-throated hummingbird, but much more common, zooming everywhere.

Black-chinned hummingbird, Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX

The top-heavy ash-throated flycatcher, a pair of which flew right up to me as if to voice a complaint.

Ash-throated Flycatcher, Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX

The somewhat more elegant brown-crested flycatcher (I think--I really have no business ID-ing unfamiliar flycatchers).

The nearly invisible canyon towhee.

Canyon Towhee, Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX

The gigantic cactus wren, making itself comfortable at the feeder

White-winged Doves and Cactus Wren, Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX

and at the shallow desert-style bird bath.

Cactus Wren, Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX

But the most striking birds were the quails. When I first read that quails were considered common, even abundant, in areas of El Paso, I couldn't quite believe it. I live in such a quail impoverished region, lucky to see or hear a bob white once a year. But here they were among the doves and finches at the feeder. The stunning Gambel's quail

Gambel's Quail and House Finch, Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX

Gambel's Quail and White-winged Dove, Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX

and the equally lovely scaled quail.

Scaled Quail, Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX

I would see a lot more of these quails, mostly running away from me, kicking up trail dust. The scaled quails in particular have a comical running style--completely erect with their necks extended and often turned back to look at you, their topknots bouncing.

There is life in this desert, which caused a little pain, even as an outsider, when I viewed the way El Paso seems to take the land outside of the park as empty space, prime for another outlet mall.

I'll end this post by setting up a little narrative suspense. Here's the coyote.


Coyote, Frankin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX

Would I see the roadrunner?

El Paso

2011-06-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

Burrowing Owl, Rio Bosque Wetlands, El Paso, TX

Coming soon: A series of posts about my trip to El Paso.

Powisset Farm Bobolinks

2011-06-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Skipper on Daisy, Powisset Farm, Dover, MA

I volunteered to do some grassland bird monitoring at Powisset Farm in Dover (I'm also doing it at the Charles River Peninsula), so there I was early this morning standing out in the middle of a hay field listening for birds.

Powisset's got bobolinks. Not huge numbers but enough to be visible as you walk through the property.

And they are out in the hay fields breeding.

Most of the birds I saw this morning were carrying bugs in their mouths, a clear sign of young ones about.

And reinforcing the importance of grassland bird monitoring, I saw this distressed female bobolink circling around a hayfield that had just been mowed.

She was carrying a nice fat insect but didn't seem to be able to find any children to feed,

fluttering her wings constantly

and perching on the few long stems remaining.

[By the way, bobolinks are skilled decoy artists so I may have been duped, but I watched from far away and she was doing the same thing.]

Roof turkeys

2011-06-16T03:47:00.000-07:00

Wild Turkey on neighbor's roof, Needham, MA

I was in my home office and heard a loud WHOOSH outside my window. What the...? I look outside and there is a turkey on my neighbor's roof.

It soon lifted off again and settled into the upper branches of a nearby tree.

And it roosted there, right outside my bedroom window, all night. A couple of weeks ago I was woken up at 4 a.m. by loud turkey gobbling; it would appear the turkey had been closer than I realized.

I showed my daughter the roosting turkey and she turned and showed me another turkey on my other neighbor's roof. Hey turkeys, what's wrong with MY roof?

Great Egret at the Charles River Peninsula

2011-06-15T12:02:00.000-07:00

Great Egret, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Ordinarily not a bird to get super excited about. But although I've seen great egrets downstream on the Charles in Newton, I've never ever seen one at the CRP. (This is what I guess you might call "patch excitement.")

It wasn't hunting. Just perching and doing the normal egret-y things. I was surprised the red-winged blackbirds didn't come after it.

Oops

2011-06-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

House Sparrow Egg

Researchers at Cornell University are asking people to submit photos of house sparrow eggs to help them better understand variations in egg spotting. Full details here.

This seems to be a good use of the eggs I've been pulling out of house sparrow nests. (And then Lily and I can do our own house sparrow egg experiments at home--like, "how long will an egg covered in grass last in our yard before a predator gets it.")

Revenge of the house sparrow

My recommendation, if you are going to do something like this: don't keep the house sparrow egg in your shirt pocket.

Black Swallow-wort

2011-06-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

Black Swallow-wort flower, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Black Swallow-wort is a highly invasive plant that, unfortunately, is beginning to invade the fields of the Charles River Peninsula. Originally from Europe, it escaped into the New England environment in the mid-1800s. It is pernicious for a number of reasons. It spreads quickly via rhizomes and milkweed-like seed pods and may force out native milkweed and golden-rod, creating a monoculture that birds don't like to nest in. Monarch butterflies may also mistakenly lay eggs on swallow-wort plants and the caterpillars will die without their proper nourishment. Luckily, it seems that the infestation has been caught in time at the CRP and TTOR will be able to control it. But it is worth checking around to see if fields you frequent are harboring black swallow-wort.

Ponkapoag!

2011-06-07T16:10:00.000-07:00

Sundews, Ponkapoag Bog, Canton, MA

My first time on the Ponkapoag boardwalk in over a year. One of my favorite places. (I must say the alien mood is hard to sustain when confronted by so many cheerful school children walking through).

The boardwalk is in even worse repair than I remember. You will get your feet wet, unless you are wearing rubber boots and then you risk slipping off the boardwalk entirely. My shoes and socks were soaked, almost from the start. But I didn't care.

Because the pitcher plants were in bloom!

What an extraordinarily beautiful blossom for what is, let's admit it, a fascinating but pretty loathsome looking plant.

Here's a distant look at the entire unit.

If you look closely at the base you will see the pitchers.

I wasn't there for the birds, though I was paying attention. Lots of flycatchers and a singing northern waterthrush (that one again!) added to the mood. My favorite bird moment was a stunner: I was listening to a nearby wood thrush sing and all of a sudden I heard a burst of pewee. WHAT? Did the wood thrush just sing over the pewee? It would seem, on the contrary, that the wood thrush has incorporated a little pewee into his own song. This is the first time I've ever heard this kind of thing. (By the way, that three note descending phrase in the background? An oriole, I think.)

I spotted the singer as he flew down to be with another bird, which I assume to be his mate. Looks like wood thrush breeding in Ponkapoag. Which is not good. This is a bad environment for them. Too close to the cowbirds. And indeed, I saw a poor phoebe trying to satisfy a giant screaming cowbird chick on the way back to my car.

Finally, it was nice to see this red-spotted purple (it was in attack mode but I waited around for it to land).

Lots of dragonflies today too, of all shapes and sizes. Some were flying in swarms so dense they would accidentally run into me. If you are a dragonfly lover, run don't walk, to Ponkapoag. And don't worry about getting your feet wet.

Bluebirds and a baby robin

2011-06-05T06:59:00.000-07:00

Eastern Bluebird female, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

I heard a commotion of bluebird songs from all over the CRP this morning. Could there be new bluebird fledglings?
I saw a small shape on the freshly mowed path. Aha! I thought. A closer look revealed a baby robin, fully feathered but unable to fly. This was the focus of bluebird attention.

There was no sign of bluebird fledglings (though they might have been hidden). So why all the fuss over a baby robin? My first impulse was to think that the bluebirds were being protective. As I approached the chick and the chick began to voice distress the bluebirds became more upset. (In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a mother bluebird in full scold mode before). Other birds flew in to see what was happening (in one beautiful scene--unphotographed--the female bluebird and a female orchard oriole perched next to each other on a wire). Were the birds gathering together to defend this helpless little thing? (By the way, no sign of a parent robin anywhere).

Here's a video version

My other thought was that this was just a bluebird freak-out--an overwrought response to an unfamiliar being making noise close to their nesting box. This doesn't explain why they got more upset as I approached, though maybe they were simply responding to the intensified robin cheeps. The red-winged blackbirds, for example, are currently freaking out over anything that happens to get close to parts of the fields where their babies are hiding. (One was giving a male bluebird a particularly hard time).

By the way, here's why I didn't intervene to help the chick myself.

Great Meadows! (It's been a while)

2011-06-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

Great Meadows NWR, Concord, MA

Carpool driver needed to Concord on a Saturday afternoon? I'm on it! An opportunity to visit Great Meadows for the first time this year.

A gorgeous sunny day tempered by a stiff breeze. The star photo subject today? The marsh wren. Great Meadows is stuffed with them and now is the time of year they stand atop the cat-tails and sing on the wing straight up in the air. Usually I only get behind-the-foliage shots like the one below.

But today they were coming right out into the open.

Even if sometimes they are closing their eyes in the photo...

Butterfly Day

2011-06-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

Common Ringlets enjoying a dandelion, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

A sunny day, at least for a little while this morning. A good day to take a look at the butterflies beginning to emerge (or migrate in) at the Charles River Peninsula. The common ringlets are the most abundant right now.

Here's some others that can be seen these days.

Monarch?

No, Viceroy (black stripe on bottom wing is the clincher, though it is obscured by a blade of grass in the photo above.) I recently read that the old children's nature lore story about the viceroy is wrong. We used to think it was a tasty butterfly that disguised itself as a (not tasty) monarch. Now, it seems, the viceroy itself is not very tasty.

Here's a red admiral.

You can get a good look at its face if you click on the photo above.

And finally, a question mark? I think the wing mark is more question mark-ish than comma-ish.

In other CRP news. Little new activity on the nesting box front, though I didn't open most of the swallow boxes for fear their hard-won feather collections would blow away in the wind. Also, red-winged blackbird chicks are beginning to fledge. Some fledge right into the meadow, where they sit and cheep. Hyper-sensitive blackbird parents abundant.

White-eyed Vireo!

2011-05-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

Watching a white-tailed deer stroll unhurried along the path near the tip of the peninsula, I got a whiff of unusual birdsong. When the deer had left, I approached.
Clear, distinct song coming from within the foliage. Two slight variations. Unfamiliar.

Up go the binoculars. A little white, a little yellow. White eyes. Well how about that, a white-eyed vireo. I managed a low light documentary shot.

I saw one at the CRP last year, but earlier, during the peak of migration. Could this one be here to stay?

Female Bobolink photo ID at Charles River Peninsula

2011-05-29T05:06:00.000-07:00

Female Bobolink, Charles River Penisula, Needham, MA

At long last, a female in the meadow. What a beautiful sight to finally behold. And two males, holding court and doing fluttery flight songs on separate parts of the field. And as these are bobolinks, as soon as a male approached her off she went into the tree tops. A little bit of harassment from passing red-winged blackbird patrols, but they were mostly concerned about chasing each other, not the bobolinks.

Meanwhile, not a sight or a sound from Savannah sparrows for the last week. Odd....

But yesterday morning (not this morning, regrettably) I was greeting by the utterly weird (if you aren't expecting it) song of a yellow-billed cuckoo. There were two of them and they were doing that snake-like swaying back and forth thing. I usually don't get to see them more than once or twice a year down at the CRP.

Piping plovers fight! Laughing gulls dance! Common terns irritate!

2011-05-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

Laughing Gulls, Long Beach, Plymouth, MA

Every year my annual walk to the tip of Long Beach gets earlier and earlier. This year I got there before the chicks arrived, meaning there were fewer birds aiming for my head, and more birds targeting each other.
Common terns and

laughing gulls were all paired up and ready for love.

While these three male piping plovers were not getting along!

The video is especially good this time. It starts with the piping plovers, a little past their active conflict but still in intimidation mode. Then an extended, surprisingly beautiful nuptial dance from a pair of laughing gulls. And then common terns, one of whom just won't shut up.

Now at the Charles River Peninsula: March flies, swarms of them

2011-05-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

View from Hill, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

A lovely day to be out walking the Charles River Peninsula. Except for the plague of swarming March flies. Wear protective glasses and keep your mouth closed and you might be OK... (Don't worry. It's a passing thing...)
The March fly is a species of bibionidae (I don't know if these are "lovebugs" or not, but that's what they are doing--mating). If you let them they will crawl all over you. Here's a close up of a female (the males look quite different).

In other CRP news:
The blue-gills are making nests of small stones at the canoe launch.
And if you stand on the small bridge at the start of the trail you may see barn swallows circling a small pool in the swampy area to the right.

What are they doing? Collecting wet leaves and mud for their nests (presumably on a Walker School building).

Baltimore Orioles v. Chipmunk

2011-05-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

Female Baltimore oriole stares down chipmunk

This time of year chipmunks can be seen foraging in the tree tops. This one got a little too close to a Baltimore oriole nest.

On the right, the defiant chipmunk

On the left, the protective parents.

After a couple of body blows, the chipmunk quickly made its retreat.

Good thing, too. Orioles have been known to go for the eyes of nest robbing squirrels.

Charles River Peninsula and Rocky Narrows

2011-05-25T15:03:00.000-07:00


Great Blue Heron, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

CRP Moment 1. Woodcock displaying in the parking lot.
CRP Moment 2. Male orchard oriole circles me at eye-level with his fluttery flight song. Twice. In two different locations. (I don't think he likes me. Am I messing up his love life?)
CRP Moment 3. Female Baltimore oriole tugs and tugs at a piece of string wrapped around a branch. Is it snagged fishing line (best left unused) or is she actually getting ready to hang a nest? (We'll find out tomorrow).

Wild Geranium, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

House Wren, Rocky Narrows, Sherborn, MA

RN Moment 1: Scarlet Tanager above, Veerys on each side, loud northern waterthrush in distance.
RN Moment 2: Near the canoe launch I hear the most ridiculous Baltimore oriole song ever. (I think he was agitated or something)
RN Moment 3: Walking the "narrows" I realize for the first time it's a hemlock forest, an utterly precious thing.

Starflower, Rocky Narrows, Sherborn, MA

Ridge Hill Reservation and Needham Community Farm

2011-05-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

Bluets, Ridge Hill Reservation (easement), Needham, MA

Thought I might try the woodland environment this afternoon, so Ridge Hill Reservation it was. Not disappointed: typical birds were there--scarlet tanagers, ovenbirds, pine warblers, eastern wood pewees. Also tree frogs and chipmunks. And mosquitoes...

Also spotted this chickadee in a natural nesting cavity.

After my Ridge Hill Walk I drove down the old Nike missile driveway to the new site of Needham Community Farm.

I'd never been down there before (There's been a strong "no trespassing" policy in recent years). Another weedy field to explore.

The bird life was distressingly thin for such a wild abandoned area. But butterflies were taking advantage. Here's a very fresh black swallowtail.

Spotted a cardinal's nest on the way out. Couldn't resist taking a photo of the eggs!

Visitors and residents

2011-05-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

Magnolia Warbler, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Magnolia Warbler is, alas, a visitor.

Cedar Waxwing, is, on the other hand, a resident (seen with nesting material this morning).

Ruby-throated hummingbird? Could be either.

Charles River Peninsula: Some historical information

2011-05-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

View of Newell's Bridge (South/Willow St) before recent construction

I just finished up The Trustees of Reservations' Charles River Valley Hike of the Month at the Charles River Peninsula. The CRP is a site of some historical interest so I thought I might provide some information here for the benefit of those unable to join the hike.

Records indicate that the property was owned by the Fisher family, one of the founding families of Needham. Fisher Street and the Fisher Bridge on Central Ave over the Charles are legacies of this history. The fields were probably used as pasture for dairy cows and other agricultural purposes. There was also a saw mill on the current site of the Redwing Bay parking lot.

Significant members of the Fisher family include Alvan Fisher, the prominent landscape artist, and his brother, John Dix Fisher, physician and founder of the Perkins School for the Blind.

During the first half of the 20th century, Walker-Gordon Laboratories bought the land to use as a dairy farm (a more famous Walker-Gordon dairy, home of Borden's "Elsie the Cow," was in Plainsboro, New Jersey). Walker-Gordon is known for their development of the "rotolactor," a rotating milking platform that supposedly made milking cleaner and more efficient. This invention was displayed at the World's Fair in 1939-40 and then moved to Needham, where it became a local tourist attraction.

The land was broken up in the 1950s. Walker-Gordon Field off of Charles River Street is a legacy of this history. The farm buildings and barns, initially used to house convalescing children with long-term illnesses, became the Walker Home and School for special-needs children. And property that is now the Charles River Peninsula was donated to the Trustees of Reservations in 1960.

For much of its history the CRP was apparently accessible to the public by canoe only; in the 1990s additional land was acquired that allowed access from Redwing Bay (which is managed by Needham and the DCR). In recent years TTOR has been managing the property as a grassland habitat for birds and wildlife, cutting down a large stand of trees that used to divide the land and aggressively eliminating woody growth encroaching on the meadow. TTOR mows the land annually, usually around the first week in November.

Here is the official TTOR CRP page. Here is a link to the Needham Historical Society, the source of much of this information.

Finally, a real May birding day

2011-05-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

Magnolia Warbler, Marblehead Neck Sanctuary, Marblehead, MA

Finally a day I could get out of the house early, a day without rain, and a day with warblers.

I drove up Rte 1A just in case there was something interesting along the coast in Lynn/Swampscott. It was foggy (a splendid addition to the mood--unseen terns calling in the mist) but things fairly close were easily visible. This included:
eiders,

white-winged scoters,

lots of purple sandpipers and a random ruddy turnstone.

On the beach itself--this array of gulls, showing the size differences between great black-backed, herring, and ring-billed.

(I initially mistook the ring-billed for something spectacularly small, but I think it was just a contrast effect).

Marblehead Neck was a little dark for good photos (the sun finally came out about 8) but was the perfect solution to my warbler drought this season.
Standing in one spot alone I could hear: northern parula, black-throated blue, black-throated green, American redstart, northern waterthrush, common yellowthroat, ovenbird, blackpoll, black&white, and magnolia warbler. Also got good looks at a Wilson's and a Canada (though I missed the olive-sided flycatcher that had been spotted earlier in the morning). And was that a veery lightly singing in the background?
Here's some clips of a magnolia, another magnolia (much lighter, female?), a black-throated blue, and two tiny looks at the Wilson's--slowed down so you can at least ID him.

Sunday at 1: Charles River Peninsula is Trustees of Reservations Hike of the Month

2011-05-20T04:19:00.000-07:00

Here's the official press release (also on a page in the side-bar)

The Trustees of Reservations will hold its May Hike of the Month on May 22nd from 1pm to 3pm at Charles River Peninsula off Fisher Street in Needham. Join Trustees volunteer Peter Oehlkers for a walk through the Charles River Peninsula. Hikers will get a chance to explore the edge of the Charles River for signs of animal activity and then walk through the open field to catch a glimpse of some of the grassland birds that nest at the Peninsula. Interested individuals can also learn about our bluebird monitoring program currently active at several of our local Trustees properties. The hike will be at an easy pace and cover approximately one mile. Please bring bug spray and water if it is a hot day. This event is free. Pre-registration is helpful, but not required.

Breeding season madness

2011-05-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

Yellow warbler on nest, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Things are getting a bit crazy down at the Charles River Peninsula. Lots of fighting, nest-building, and even some fledging!

Let's begin with this weird robin scene. I've seen robins freeze and go squeaky high when there is a predator about but this one seems to be challenging another male on a branch above. (Earlier I saw the two get into a severe take-down fight).

And that's a beautiful nest you are building, yellow warbler. I think you'll find a certain lack of privacy, however....

Also seen with nesting material today: mourning doves, eastern kingbirds, orchard orioles, Baltimore orioles.

And there is already some fledging happening. Check out this one.

Grackle? Starling? [Definitely grackle] All I know is that I love the top-knot!

Finally, this is not directly breeding oriented but I thought it was an interesting scene. See the resident red-tailed hawk go all cormorant.

It's been wet for nearly a week. Poor thing is just trying to get its wings dry.

First CRP Indigo Bunting!

2011-05-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

Indigo Bunting, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

I've been waiting for this one to show up at the Charles River Peninsula for three whole years ever since I read that the CRP was being managed as a grassland habitat to attract bobolinks, indigo buntings and the like. And there it was, singing, right as I pulled my car into the Redwing Bay parking lot.
Got a video though the indigo bunting ID is not clear until the end, when it sings.

It ended up in the trees at the top of the parking lot, headed for the train tracks, not towards the carefully prepared CRP grassland habitat. A song sparrow(!) chased it off.

[UPDATE: Two males spotted ON PROPERTY this morning. They weren't singing but they were chasing each other. A better photo than yesterday below]

In other CRP news, female Baltimore orioles can be seen collecting string for their nests. The one in this video is carefully pulling long filaments from vines.

Bobolinks, eleven days and counting...

2011-05-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

Bobolink, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The bobolinks came in eleven days ago. Like last year, they remained up in the highest branches of the trees in the grove by the river and sang all at once.

(There is a lighter bird in the group above. Do you suppose it is a female?)

In the past couple of days they've been coming down lower and even exploring the meadow a bit.

I've been able to get pretty close.

Soon we will find out if they are going to stick around and actually breed this year.

Meanwhile, here is a short video of a bobolink just sitting around, while his neighbor keeps starting but never really going full-bobolink. The clip in the middle is another bobolink who has just managed to intimidate a couple of house sparrows.

For those of you desiring a taste of "full bobolink" here is a recording.

[UPDATE: There are two separate groups of bobolinks. One is one the east side of the property, the other is on the northwest (near the boundary of the Walker School).]

Yellow-throated vireo bonanza

2011-05-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

Yellow-throated Vireo, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

I'm going to keep trying to get a decent photo of the CRP YT-vireo(s). Most of them turn out like those below (at least you get a good look at the yellow throat!)

I did manage a video (in poor, rainy conditions). A couple of notes: one clip features the vireo singing (with the vireo only spottily in sight), another gets a little closer--with a surprise at the end!, and the final clip features the best view and the vireo's little squeaky call note (I added a slow motion version at the end with the contrast turned down and the saturation turned up)

The surprise--two vireos. It looks like our lonely male has found a partner (one was doing a little quivering, though it may have just been trying to shake the rain off its feathers...) And, while I was listening to this one sing, I heard another one across the property. So we now have (at least) three yellow-throated vireos on the property. I wonder if the "other" one is in fact the one who has been here since the end of April, and the couple are newly arrived.

Meanwhile on the home front...

2011-05-15T10:30:00.000-07:00

Wild Turkey in neighbor's tree, Needham, MA

Saw this turkey fly from the street over my neighbor's roof, high up into a tree behind their house. Quite a display of power.

Warbler action has been better in the trees above my house than just about anywhere I've visited this spring. Constant yellow-rump, and for the past week or so parula and black-throated green. This morning added blackpoll and magnolia(!).

And look at this little raccoon peeking out from a squirrel's nest in our white pine on Saturday morning.

[UPDATE: May 16 Scarlet Tanager singing outside window]

CRP Nesting Box Updates

2011-05-14T15:49:00.000-07:00

I've moved the updates to a page (visible on the right side bar). This should help organize things a little better. I'll indicate the date of the most recent update in the title.

Plum Island Highlight: Long-tailed Ducks

2011-05-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Brown Thrasher, Sandy Point Beach, Newburyport, MA

Grading finished and skies clear of rain (for the most part) I took the annual May drive up to Newburyport to search for warblers. Warbler hunting was poor--I got there too late and the weather was too blustery for prime out-in-the-open everyone-singing Hellcat action. So I had to look for highlights elsewhere.

This time it was Sandy Point that came through--a couple large rafts of long-tailed ducks. I don't known long-tails that well so I was delighted to have some time to study them. (Click on the images for better views).

Return to Cutler

2011-05-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

Common Yellowthroat, Cutler Park, Needham, MA

It's been a few months since I've taken the Cutler walk, starting in the small parking lot on Great Plain Ave and traveling along the train track. I'm increasingly ambivalent about the place. Compared to, let's say, the Charles River Peninsula, you are much more likely to encounter gang members and white tailed deer corpses (human corpses on occasion too). And the train track side trail is maintained as an easement, not a nature walk, so trail-side trees (including some great cherry trees) and brush are ruthlessly sacrificed to widen the path, while detritus, such as old rusty shopping carts, is allowed to pile up.

On the other hand, it is the best place in Needham to see common yellowthroats and hear swamp sparrows (and if you're lucky, marsh wrens).

And you are quite likely to see a (living) white-tail springing through the bullrushes.

The DCR (I'm assuming--these might be the work of another organization) has set up a group of nesting boxes in a very small grassy clearing near the beginning of the trail. When I first saw them I was doubtful. There are too many of them in a small space. But wouldn't you know, first thing I see: a bluebird pair.

I bet they don't have a house sparrow problem there either....

Annual Pilgrimage to Mount Auburn Cemetery

2011-05-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

Indigo Bunting, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA

Today looked to be the sunniest day this week, so off I went for my annual pilgrimage (I use that word in its holiest sense) to Mount Auburn Cemetery for a morning amidst the migrants. Lots of activity to behold, both from birds and fellow birders.

The main attraction this season has been a highly visible nest of great horned owlets. It is impossible to miss, marked off by yellow police tape and spotting scope tripods. These must be the most photographed owlets in New England. Here's my contribution to the collective effort.

Not far away was a parent owl trying to get some shut-eye but having great difficulty in the blustery wind (see video below).

Attractive and talented songsters were abundant, including a lovely indigo bunting (above) and this surprisingly approachable scarlet tanager.

As for migrating warblers, well let me tell you.... If I were a more list-obsessed type this would have been a stake-out day. Cape May, Hooded, and Kentucky had all spotted by birders at one point or another. I actually spent a while waiting for the Kentucky to show himself (to no avail). But given this was my Mount Auburn day, and the blossoms were peaking, I thought I'd be better off soaking up the atmosphere than standing in the shade looking at rhododendron bushes through my binoculars.

Northern parula song dominated the place,

though I also saw/heard Nashville, chestnut-sided, ovenbirds, black-throated green, prairie, black-throated blue, and this precious black and white, which was just sitting there unmoving, occasionally making its squeaky utterance.

Doesn't it look like it's just viewing the blossoms? A little bird-style hanami?

In this short video, a little bit of indigo bunting and scarlet tanager singing (with myriad voices in the background). And the great horned owl parent practically getting blown off its perch by the wind.

"the greatest day of the whole year"

2011-05-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

Baltimore Oriole, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

...[T]he greatest day of the whole year is in early May when the season is well established, when the apple blossoms are opening....On this day, not far from the 8th of the month, the Baltimore oriole makes his dramatic entrance into New England. On every hand, in our orchards, among the high branches of our roadside elms, the little trumpeter is heard blowing his tiny bugle; all out-of-doors is animated by his buoyant personality.
--Arthur Cleveland Bent

The females are also back, singing their charming songs.

And the orchard orioles are still battling for the sole female.

And the rose-breasted grosbeaks and bobolinks (not shown) are singing.

Cold Spring Park Wood Thrush (with bonus Parula)

2011-05-07T06:45:00.000-07:00

Wood Thrush, Cold Spring Park, Newton, MA

Lily had a birthday party in Newton so I had two hours to kill in the late afternoon. I headed over to Cold Spring Park. And had the closest encounter I've ever had with a singing wood thrush. Video is below.

Then I went in search of warblers. Overall activity that time of day was pretty low but I did hear and spot a northern parula in a blooming apple tree in the outfield of the softball field.
Got a great clear photo of the parula's back (at least you can get a good look at the lovely chestnut patch!)

And a more conventional shot from below.

After my luck with the thrush and the parula, I though I would go for the trifecta. One more good bird. Walking along the path I heard it--"chip burr, chip burr." Scarlet Tanager? But alas too high up to see, never mind photograph. It was nice to hear them, nevertheless...

Birds, Blossoms, BOBOLINKS!

2011-05-06T15:53:00.000-07:00

Warbling Vireo, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Oh the birds do love the blossoms, though I never know whether it is the blossom itself or the insects inside that attract them. Maybe both. The sparrows tear them apart, while the orioles take a gentler, more tweezer-like approach.

Upside-down oriole, anyone?

Today's migration featured few warblers (one redstart, a yellow-rump, and the continuing waterthrush were about it) but a bajillion savannah sparrows. This seems to be a pattern around these parts.

But today's highlight: BOBOLINKS! There were four of them, all males, up in the tree-tops. And they were singing and singing. Against each other.

Indeed, today was a glorious day for song fights. Orchard orioles, Baltimore orioles (I saw four involved in one chase), bobolinks (fluttery slow motion chases), and best of all--rose-breasted grosbeaks.

I pulled some clips together in the following video. It starts with chickadee and Baltimore oriole blossom action. Then moves to the rose-breasted grosbeak. In the best scene of the day--a little grosbeak mating display action. (Check out the female on the left). Then a little savannah sparrow singing (with the resident yellow-throated vireo audible in the background). Finally, BOBOLINKS!

2011-05-03T17:02:00.000-07:00


Orchard Oriole, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

This was the kind of day when you step out of the house in the morning and immediately hear northern parula and black-throated green warblers singing from the tree-tops across the street. And I had to go to work. But after dinner I rushed out for a quick check on CRP nesting boxes (no news) and was happy to discover continued growth in oriole numbers, including the two orchard males (still fighting) and many more Baltimores establishing territories. Perhaps tomorrow morning I'll do my annual oriole song map.

Here's a Baltimore in the blossoms.

I've been seeing a pair of eastern kingbirds for the past few days. They seem inseparable but I can't tell whether they are two males competing or a real romantic item. Here's a video with a lot of display activity but nothing conclusive. I've slowed a section down to get more details on their chatter (there is an oriole in the background sounding rather spooky at low speed).