We always see the Brants in the winter time out on the “islands” past Boat Meadow Beach, but rarely near the shore by the beach. So when these two Brants swam in and had lunch right in front of us, we were thrilled. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
They were far enough away that I could get out of the car and get a few photographs without scaring them away. We watched them for a while while they had their lunch which consists mostly of eel grass found in the tidal flats.
On the distant shores of one of the peninsulas were about 100 other Brants scavenging about on the edge of the shore. They are such a beautiful bird with that broken collar pattern on their necks.
What a treat! Have you ever seen a Brant?
I saw my first Red-winged Blackbird of the season yesterday morning at Fort Hill. I love it when they arrive in March as it signals that spring is just about here!
This guy was singing away on top of the branch way out in the meadow. As soon as you hear their sound, “Cuck-a-ree,” you know you made it through the winter.
Welcome back, Red-winged Blackbirds!
With the white Swan and all of the other water birds diving and dunking, there must be some good fishing at Herring Pond. I watched them for a while as they all stayed together while fishing furiously in the water. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
It looked like a family of birds all hanging out together and fishing together … it really was quite cute!
I stopped at Herring Pond on my way home from hiking at Wiley Park when I saw this water bird swimming about. There were several of them, all hanging around this one spot that must have been good for fishing. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
When I got home and did some research, I found that it was an American Wigeon. Wow! Another first for me this winter! Have you ever seen an American Wigeon?
