Hello, WMBers!
Aside from being nearly blown off the map this morning, we had a fun Wednesday Morning Birding! Susan Yurkus and I lead 18 hardy souls out of Joppa Flats Education Center on our weekly birding adventure. Skies were clear to partly cloudy; winds were N-NNE/5-25; and temps were in the low 40s. This was the first WMB of the season with significant wind chill, and a number of us wish that we’d worn more clothing!
Our travels took us to Upper Artichoke and Cherry Hill Reservoirs in West Newbury. The Artichoke was a bit disappointing, holding “only” Canada Geese, a few Mallards, and two Double-crested Cormorants. Cherry Hill was more to our liking as a not-very-active raft of about 75 Ring-necked Ducks snoozed away with bills tucked during our visit, together with at least 150 Ruddy Ducks a bit more spread out and active, many with their stiff tails cocked upright. Also in the Cherry Hill mix were several Buffleheads and three Common Mergansers, a drake and two hens. We spied a Red-tailed Hawk high overhead as it was being harassed by three American Crows.
Drake Ruddy Duck in nonbreeding plumage, Cherry Hill Reservoir — Susan Balser
On to Plum Island, we found that the ocean from parking lot #1 was in a real uproar, making it difficult to see any birds on the water. And yet, we did come up with three Black Scoters. Out over the ocean, gulls appeared to be flying everywhere, both Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls (apparently there was food to be had gratis the roiling waters). There were also a few Northern Gannets. As we departed the observation platform, a couple of us saw a Red-necked Grebe on the water. And, did I mention being nearly blown off the map?! Oh, my, but it was blowing and it was cold…
In the shelter of our vehicles, as we made our way down the road, a Northern Harrier crossed in front of us. At the Main Salt Panne, we saw about 30 American Wigeon along with another 30 or 40 American Black Ducks. A single adult Mute Swan dwarfed the wigeons feeding around it. At the north end of the panne, 10 or so Black-bellied Plovers and a lone Dunlin were at the water’s edge and in and out of the marsh vegetation. While en route to The Warden’s, a couple of Greater Yellowlegs were seen loafing in the small pannes.
Adult Mute Swan with American Wigeons, Main Salt Panne — Susan Balser
Black-bellied Plovers over the pannes — Susan Balser
American Black Duck over the pannes — Mike Densmore: note overall dark body & silver lining to wings
At The Warden’s, nary a sparrow or other passerine was seen or heard. Everything must have been hunkered down out of the wind. The only birds of note here were about 20 Buffleheads out on the PI River.
We had the Bill Forward Pool blind all to ourselves. While walking to the blind, there was activity in the pines: three black-capped Chickadees and a lone golden-crowned Kinglet busily searching for food. On the pool was a nice gathering of duckies, also busily feeding. Must be all about food! In the mix, there seemed to be equal parts American Black Ducks, Northern Pintails, and Green-winged Teal – 50 to 60 each. While we were watching, another 10 or 15 pintails flew in. On the fringes of the pool, there were a few Mallards sifting and sorting through the goodies they were taking in. The light from the south was perfect for really good looks at all of these birds – nice!!
Hen Northern Pintail “with flaps down,” landing on Bill Forward Pool — Mike Densmore
Making our way off the refuge, we saw a Great Blue Heron in the marsh north of the gate. It was another lovely day of birding – as long as you could withstand that ever-present chill in the air. Surely, there will be more of those days to come!
Hope to see you the next time around!
All the best,
Dave Weaver
Our list:
Reservoirs —
Canada Goose (~ 50) – mostly Upper Artichoke; a few Cherry Hill.
American Black Duck (1) – UA.
Mallard (~ 15) – UA.
Ring-necked Duck (~ 75) – CH.
Bufflehead (3) – CH.
Common Merganser (3) – 1 drake, 2 hens; CH.
Ruddy Duck (~ 150) – CH.
Double-crested Cormorant (2) – UA.
Red-tailed Hawk (1) – CH.
Ring-billed Gull (1) – CH.
Plum Island —
Canada Goose
Mute Swan (1) – ad, main panne.
American Wigeon (~ 30) – main panne.
American Black Duck (~ 30) – main panne.
Mallard (~ 20) – main panne & Bill Forward Pool.
Northern Pintail (~ 50) – BFP.
Green-winged Teal (~ 60) – BFP.
Black Scoter (3) – one ocean.
Bufflehead (~ 20) – PI River from Warden’s.
Red-necked Grebe (1) – one ocean.
Northern Gannet (3) – one ocean.
Great Blue Heron (1) – marsh n. refuge gate.
Northern Harrier (2)
Black-bellied Plover (~ 10) – n. end main panne.
Greater Yellowlegs (5) – pannes.
Dunlin (1) – n. end main panne.
Herring Gull – many, one ocean.
Great Black-backed Gull – many, one ocean.
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee (3) – new blind.
Golden-crowned Kinglet (1) – new blind.
European Starling