Odds and ends…

Despite the rosy forecast, the sun turned out to be the little engine that couldn’t get the job done this morning. Sure, the air was nice and still, for a change, but the clouds were pretty thick, and it has taken the sun nearly till noon to clear them out. Oh well. This picture ofContinue reading “Odds and ends…”

A little luck in Estabrook…

Wow! What a morning! The weather was just as forecast; cold, breezy, cloudy, and snowy; so not great, but the birding was amazing, and eight hearty souls came out to join today’s weekly wildlife walk. All together, we identified 40 bird species, which is a high-water mark for the series. Before we all met up,Continue reading “A little luck in Estabrook…”

The day after the deluge…

The wind was still howling from the storm that passed through yesterday, but the sun was out, and it definitely wasn’t raining, so I was able to get into Estabrook Park nice and early this morning. My first big treat was finding our eastern screech-owl back in its nook after a couple-day absence. Better yet,Continue reading “The day after the deluge…”

No pranks today…

My first big treat of the day was finally capturing this darling pied-billed grebe on film, after only catching glimpses of it for the last couple of days. It has been fishing around the upstream island, and once it has spotted me, it has usually disappeared after just its second dive. Happily, it relented todayContinue reading “No pranks today…”

The floodgates are opening…

It was another beautiful morning in Estabrook Park, though not quite as warm, still, or sunny as yesterday. The parade of new arrivals continues, however, so it was a great time for a visit. The first big surprise came as I approached the islands in the river. I always scan ahead, in an effort toContinue reading “The floodgates are opening…”

The new arrivals pick up their pace…

It did warm up into the low 30s by sunrise, but it also clouded up, as forecast, so the river trail mud was nice and firm for our weekly wildlife walk this morning. There were eight of us, all together, and we managed to spot 25 bird species. The first treat of the morning wasContinue reading “The new arrivals pick up their pace…”

Rarities!

First, the snow really did come, and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that we received a full eight inches in Estabrook Park. I know some locals are about as thrilled with it as the mourning dove looked yesterday, but I am very happy. Even better, temps were in the low teens, winds were light,Continue reading “Rarities!”

Another turn in the February rotation…

It was a bit cooler than yesterday in Estabrook Park this morning, but the breeze felt lighter, and the sun came out after a bit, so it was another very nice time to be looking for critters. There are still a few common mergansers on the river, but this goldeneye drake but on the betterContinue reading “Another turn in the February rotation…”

Plenty of burnt orange to go around…

It was a beautiful February morning in Estabrook Park, with temps in the mid-teens, a very light breeze out of the west, and a crystal blue sky overhead. Even better, four hardy souls came out to join me on our Weekly Wildlife Walk. Despite all the fancy sparrows by the pond, the winter wren, andContinue reading “Plenty of burnt orange to go around…”

Little birds abound…

The forecast snow has not yet arrived, but the clouds have been super thick all morning, the winds were light, and the temps were just below freezing. So, it was a good morning for finding birds, but a little dark for my camera. The first bird I found was our hermit thrush, in its usualContinue reading “Little birds abound…”