Plum Island Warblers

 I needed a bird fix so I decided to head up to Plum Island on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Unfortunately the weather was not great for photography as it was really foggy all day. Seems like we've had a lot of fog on weekends all spring long. The birding was great though. I guess the birds hit the fog bank and decided to hanging out on the island. I think I even saw a Common Yellow-throat with a Corona and a lime. :)

Plum island contains the Parker River National Wildlife Reserve, a 6 mile long island of sand dunes and salt marsh. It is excellent habit for migrating warblers. Although the weather remained poor all day, I took some OK shots.  There was a report of a Mourning Warbler too, a lifer for me, but no luck.  I move pretty slowly when I bird.  As stated previously, I like quality not quantity so I've been known for spending hours in front of one tree watching the birds. Saturday was no different.  I got to PI at 0730 and could have stayed until sun down.   Unfortunately the birding slowed down late in the afternoon or I would have stayed.  Hope you enjoy....leave a comment either way.

Black-throated Green Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Female Blackpole Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Northern Parula

Wilson's Warbler

Wompatuck State Park, Hingham, MA

Weather has been atrocious here for last two weeks. Thick fog, mist and no sun. Today I braved the 50 degree wet weather and went birding . I'd never visited the park, but I'd heard alot of good things about it. Oven birds were everywhere, but I was disappointed that there weren't more warblers. I was hoping to see a Worm Eating and a Cerulean Warbler as they'd been seen there fairly recently. I got a couple good photos though.  I'm going to have to join a group to visit this park in the future so I can find all the hot spots.  It's too big to wander around aimlessly.   Enjoy! 

American Redstart

Black and White Warbler

Ovenbird

Pine Warbler

Red-eyed Vireo

Veery

Wood Thrush

Cape May Day 2

A few more birds from Cape May.  I had a real challenge getting great shots of warblers.  There were many different species, but my photos are not of great quality. 

Here are a few warbler and non-warbler species.  Can't wait to get out again soon. 

Black throated Green Warbler

Chestnut sided Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

(looks mighty sad with that big frown)

Another fun bird so inquisitive. 

Almost gives a persceptable head tilt to say "hey what are you doing here"?  

Lesser Yellow Legs

Tree Swallow

Purple Martins

Killdeer

White-eyed Vireo (mighty noisy)

Don't forget to leave comments. 

Brigantine NWR and Cape May, NJ #1

Its migration and I haven't seemed to have any time to post.  I've been birding and boy has it been BIRDIE!!  I have more to post from my trip to Louisiana, but will save it for another day.  Today's post is from Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge and Cape May, New Jersey.   Had a great trip with South Shore Bird Club members.  We encountered 142 species with 10 lifers for me.  According to the trip leaders it was actually a slow week at Cape May.  I can't say it was slow for me.  It wasn't a great trip for photography, but that was fine.  Memories of some of the warblers are burned into my head.  However, the highlight of the trip, believe it or not, was the 4 foot Black Racer we saw crossing the dike at Brigantine.  We also watched a Yellow Breasted Chat performing his mating dance.   They are hilarious.  The vocalization and the actual physical flight gyrations are amazing.  His bright yellow chest was evident as it hung in mid-air squawking and barking out his call. 

South Shore Bird Club Members (great group)

Black Racer

Dunlin

Forster's Tern

Forster's Tern

Kentucky Warbler

Orchard Oriole

Yellow-breasted chat 

(new top birds on my life list)  makes me laugh!

Yellow Breasted Chat

Acadian Flycatcher

Brown Thrasher

Boat-tailed Grackle

Loads more pictures to post over the next week or so.  I also went to Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, MA this weekend.  I'll be posting those soon too. 

Wading Birds from Grand Isle, Louisiana

A day at the beach was fruitful.  Although I was on the island about a week before prime migration I still had a great day at Grand Isle State Park, and in marsh areas along the road. 

Reddish Egret -this bird would seriously win Dancing with the Stars.

Not a fan of DWTR.  

 Short billed Dowitcher

(check on the water drop rolling off the beak.)

Yellow crowned Night Heron

(there were two sitting in a tree off the trail.) 

 Black necked Stilt 

(such a cool looking bird)

Clapper Rail

(He was talking to me for an hour.  I was real patient and he finally wandered out.)

Lesser Yellow legs

 Willet

Snowy Egret (magestic looking bird)

Stay tuned for more from Lousiana.  Next weekend I'll be going to Cape May, New Jersey.