It’s that time of the year when birds start gathering together for their winter migration. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
These Double-crested Cormorants were all enjoying some relaxing time crowded on these rafts by Little Pleasant Bay. There were hundreds of them! They must be getting ready…
We sat in our car yesterday at First Encounter Beach chuckling while we watched a seagull land on top of the car next to us while the driver was inside enjoying her lunch. It stood up there for a little while. We figured it was just waiting patiently for a “hand out!”
Who got the last laugh as it flew onto our car when she drove away… and proceeded to stare at us through our windshield? Haha! We didn’t have any food.
We’ve only seen a Savannah Sparrow once before, so it was a big treat to see several of them hopping along the fence rail at Fort Hill. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
The Savannah Sparrow is a small, brown-streaked grassland songbird easily recognized by a distinctive yellow stripe or spot above or in front of its eye. Have you ever seen one?
I’ve seen this little Eastern Phoebe hanging about our yard quite a bit the past few days. We’ve never seen a Phoebe in our yard before. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
He seems to like to perch on top of our bird houses, but the only place I’ve managed to get a photograph is in the bird bath. It’s been such a treat to see him here!
These Double-crested Cormorants have certainly found the perfect place to perch… a beautiful sailboat without a cover. I wonder what the owners will say when they try to go out on their boat and find a bit of a mess…
It sure looked like an Egret Convention at Nauset Marsh the other day. I counted over 50 of them on the mud flats. I hadn’t seen more than a few together this summer, so this was a big treat! Were they getting ready to migrate? (Click on blog link for other photos.)
And then I watched as these 2 paddle boarders paddled straight out and, unfortunately, got too close to them.
And, of course, the Egrets all flew away. Hmmm…
There always seems to be a lot of Sanderlings scurrying about the beach at low tide. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
I really liked the little flock all facing the same direction…. Except one! What do you think?
It was a rainy, gloomy morning at Fort Hill but this Northern Flicker was enjoying the beautiful view overlooking Nauset Marsh… gorgeous even in the rain.
I keep seeing this Osprey on top of his nest at Rock Harbor almost every time I go by. And it chirps at me if I get too close. I thought the chicks were out of the nest by now and either getting ready to migrate or already on their way.
I checked with my friend, Stephanie, the Executive Director at Wild Care and she said that a lot of the chicks are still on their nests. This was such a surprise to me. Thank you, Stephanie! Your expertise is always appreciated!!
I was so surprised to see two little Bluebird chicks getting fed on our bird feeders the other day. These Bluebirds must have had a second (or third!) “brood” this summer, so there are still some little chicks around! (Click on blog link for other photo.)
This little guy was just waiting for mom to come and feed him. So cute!
Did you know that: “A bluebird clutch normally contains 4 to 5 eggs, with a full range of 2 to 7 eggs per nesting cycle. The female lays one egg each day and starts incubating only after the final egg is laid so they hatch together. They raise 1 to 3 broods per year.”
