September 1, 2012

A little windy but worth the kayak trip because I was able to photo a bittern out in the open for the first time in Rachel Carson Reserve.  I think it is an Green Heron, although small and stretching it's neck up among branches to hide and look  I got to see it hide itself totally from view though erect and only 10 yards away.  Sure can stretch that neck out.

Also saw night herons, egrets, tricolored herons, kingfishers, whimbrel, willet, a lot of pelicans, terns, ibis, and fish crow.  Full moon high tide.

June 29, 2012 A hot morning in the mid-80s at 0900 when I began my SEANET bird mortality survey on Bird Shoal. SEANET is a network of volunteer surveyors documenting beached or stranded birds along the east and west coastlines under the co-ordintion of Tufts University. Today the only new bird fatality found was a Greater Shearwater--a bird I had never seen. There was some entertainment from the Skimmers and a Common Loon doing some stretching mane

uvers.

July 14, 2012 It was already hot at 0900 on Birdshoal. A Common Loon was the only new bird mortality on this SEANET survey but what I believe to be a Wilson's plover and chick were just behind the debris line.

May 20th, 2011 Last week, I saw my first Green Heron and first bluebird on the Reserve. Today, my first rabbit near the eastern spoil along with Canadian Geese hanging out around the fresh water. Red-winged Blackbirds, Martins, the usual Ibis, Egrets and peeps. I am still amazed at finding a previously unseen or unidentified waterbird at almost every visit.

May 4th and 5th, 2012 Unseasonably warm with high tides. Last week the marbled godwits and skimmers were here and returning migrants. Strikingly more bird varieties and breeding plumage made me think I had identified a new variety for me only to be the breeding Dunlin. Sunday was a treat since I was able to photograph my first Wilson's Plover, following some close shots of a Common Loon straggler in Taylor's Creek. Pics include the plover and loon and a favorite...a few Whimbrel.

March 24, 2012
At high tide by kayak, a slightly overcast day with rain impending. A Little Blue Heron waded alongshore searching for prey--captured a shrimp. A tricolored heron was seen as well, along with Ibis, oystercatchers, willet, short-billed dowitcher, yellowlegs and terns. A few mergansers were seen but kept their distance.

Jan 28 SEANET Survey

Walking Bird Shoal was comfortable in cool but sunny quietude. Dolphins and Loons off the beach joined the usual Ibis and a few oystercathchers. Predominant birds were the Dunlin and sidekicks--sanderlings with gulls.

New Years Day 2012

A warm and calm day to start the year with a cold snap coming. A couple of loons were hanging around the sheltered water--one seemingly in the shallows after crustaceans. Many Dunlin about and a Belted Kingfisher. The usual scattered pelicans.

December 16, 2011

Uncommonly warm and sunny with clear skies. Lots of Dunlin (hundreds) and plenty of Ruddy Turnstones in winter outfits and the usual Sanderling. One raft of mergansers off Bird Shoal but less egrets and heron than usual.