Yellow-Throated Warbler in CT

It was exciting to be on a bird walk and see a rarity for the area. Luke Tiller from Sunrise Birding www.sunrisebirding.com led our group to several birding spots in Westport, CT. We ended up at Sherwood Island State Park where the good ears of Katie and Luke heard the warbler. We had great views for about half an hour and were able to get a couple of teen girls, who walked over to us, views as well. My thanks to Luke for a great outing.

We saw: yellow-rumped warblers

downy and red bellied woodpeckers

chipping and swamp sparrows

great egret

canadian geese

and lots of the everyday birds from the area

Wordless Wednesday

Blooming

Brooklyn is just busting out in blooms. Seems like just yesterday that I was taking pictures of trees laden with snow. Ah, Spring is here....
Star Magnolia Tree
Tulip



Saucer Magnolia Tree

Daffodil

In Flight

Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Jones Beach Boat Basin

I did a little birding this weekend visiting a favorite place, Jamaica Bay, and trying out some new places, Jones Beach Boat Basin and Oceanside Marine Nature Study area. I saw a pair of Clapper Rails at the Marine Nature Study area. They ran out of the berm and then just as quickly disappeared back under it, not to be seen for the rest of the afternoon, although I heard them once.

Tree Swallows, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Oystercatcher, Jones Beach Boat Basin

Osprey, Marine Nature Study Area
Osprey launch, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Mute Swan, Jamaica Bay Wildlife

Canadian Geese, Jones Beach Boat Basin

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and a Gorgeous Spring Saturday

What an absolutely gorgeous day. The first birds of the day were woodpeckers cavorting, but it was hard to tell weather they were downy or hairy woodpeckers. Although I didn't get a good enough picture to share I could see spots on the white tail feathers, thus they were Downy Woodpeckers. There were three of them chasing each other among the trees; fun to watch.
Here's one of the snow geese above

A couple of Ospreys are back and there were lots of Brant. The Red-Winged Blackbirds are back as well as Tree Swallows. There were lots of Lesser Scaup and Ruddy Ducks also.

Mute Swan

Wordless Wednesday

common eiders

Exeter, NH in snow

I went to Exeter, NH the day of the snowstorm, Feb 24th. The old buildings and the buildings on the water were beautiful as the snow fell.