Daniel Webster and Needing Patience

Canada Goose in Flight

Today was another spring day, with the sky a beautiful blue and hardly any clouds. However, the temperature was only in the mid-40s, and there was a strong Northwind, which added a chill factor. Doug and I traveled today to Daniel Webster Massachusetts Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

Today show the value of patience. We first stopped at the morning blind and observed some birds flying back and forth. What we were hoping for was a Wilson Snipe. Doug located one feeding in the grasses at the edge of the marsh and pond. We had a watch at least 20 minutes the Snipe moving back and forth until finally it gave me a clear shot. The Snipe would keep hiding its head behind brushes of grasses. Patience paid off.

Wilson Snipe

From the blind looking across to the other side, there was a pair of bluebirds, so we traveled over to that blind to see if we could find photograph the bluebirds. No such luck. But, a few savanna sparrows were around in the grass in front of the blind feeding. Again it took a while till I was able to get a photograph of one where it was not completely hidden in the grass and bushes.

Savannah Sparrow

We then went for a walk and came across a kestrel sitting on a bluebird box; I did get a picture of the kestrel peering over his shoulder at me. I slowly made the way down the path so I could adjust the light on the kestrel that it was coming over my shoulder and even though I went slowly and was a least 50 feet away and the kestrel took off into a tree further away and still when it's back toward us.

Kestrel

Further down the walk, we noticed a bird in the tree and when we looked at it with the binocular's it turned out to be a wild turkey.

Wild Turkey in the Tree

Finally, walking back toward the parking lot, we came across a pine warbler, which again took some time getting a picture where the warbler wasn't hidden behind branches.

Pine Warbler

As I keep saying a better day is out birding and photographing a natural world than working behind the desk. And for a finale a Cooper's Hawk.

Cooper's Hawk

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Bird-a-thon 2012

Bird-a-thon for 2012.
From 6 PM Friday night, May 11 2 6 PM Saturday, May 12, Paul Champlin, and I were a team that was birding far Allens Pond Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary, among many other teams.  During this period, we ended up when 153 species of different birds.  With all the other teams, Allens Pond was up to 190 species and there were still some teams that had not reported in at the end of the day on Saturday.  This was both our best totals and the sanctuaries best totals.  I wish to thank the people that have contributed and also asked for those who have not contributed you still have time to contribute to this worthy cause.  Just click on this URL and any amount will be appreciated: https://www.firstgiving.com/account/fundraising/FRPPage.asp?id=2463949&did=1

Paul

Our birding started out Friday evening At Plymouth Beach. From the parking lot.  We started walking the 2 1/2 miles down toward the tip of the beach.  I wish to thank Scott Hecker, executive director of the Goldenrod Foundation, who kindly gave us a ride down to the Goldenrod house on the beach.and He then showed us the piping plover nest that was behind the house, which he is monitoring.  At present there is only one egg on the nest, but the plovers are very protective of it.  The female piping plover use the broken wing display to draw us away from the nest and the male piping plover was somewhat aggressive toward us. I was able to obtain photographs of the plovers and the nest in a very short period of time, and then we left them not to disturb them any further.  From there we walked down to the tip of the beach collecting species on the way, plus some interesting photographs. 

Shorebirds in flight

Common Tern



Common Tern in flight with fish



Terns against bthe cloudsd

Double-crested Comorants



Common Tern with fish looking for mate



American Oystercater

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Sunset

Last look over the seas

Last light of Sunset

We had a total of 51 species for that portion of the evening.  Besides the usual, we found the roseate turn, purple sandpipers, a little blue Heron, and 3 Manx Shearwater's.  We then walked the 2 1/2 miles back to the car, where we left for Myles Standish state forest, where we obtained a Screech Owl, Saw-whet Owl  and a Whippoorwill.
We finished the night at approximately 1130 at my house, then Paul left for his house, preparing to meet at 430 in the morning.

Common Grackle

Eastern Cottontail

Great Blue Heron

At 430 on Saturday, we filled our coffee cups and departed for our first stop of the day, Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.  We had arrive prior to 6 AM when the gates open for visitors, so we did find a parking space and walked down toward the cemetery, when we noticed that they also open the gates for the road.  I went back and and drove the car so to parked it in the cemetery.  Mount Auburn Cemetery is a beautiful place, it is a national landmark, an active cemetery, a Botanical garden and a nature refuge..

Virginia Rail

Virginia Rail

After birding Mount Auburn, we traveled to great Meadows national wildlife sanctuary, Concord Unit.  Where I had a Virginia Rail, come out right in front of me.

Cooper's Hawk agaist the moon

Besides the usual subjects, a marsh Wren put on a display and a Cooper's Hawk also did a display over our heads.
We then traveled to Wompatuck state forest, Hingham Massachusetts, where, among some of the species were a Cerulean Warbler and a Hooded Warbler.  We then traveled to Daniel Webster Audubon sanctuary to obtain our next group of birds, which included a Solitary Sandpiper.

Pine Warbler with Moth

After leaving Daniel Webster, we then traveled back to Myles Standish, where we obtained a Pine and Prairie Warbler, among other species.




We finally ended up at Allens Pond and were able to obtain at least another half dozen different species for our list.
We ended the day, with a pizza party for the participants and a total thing of all, although species that were found by the various teams.
Another successful bird-a-thon was over and now it is time to plan for Allens Pond grand opening of the Stone Barn Educational Center and the Annual Duck Derby.
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