Last week we had a beautiful, mild, early winter day for our outing. Because we knew that the south end of the island was closed, we headed over to Salisbury Beach State Reservation to maximize our chances for salty ducks and marsh species. At the beginning of the drive around the campground, there is a copse of conifers Dave Weaver is referring to as the “owl thicket”. The morning sun had melted snow at the base of a big cedar, and it was warmer and calmer near the trees of said thicket. Passerines were foraging actively there, enjoying access to the ground and the “microclimate.” Right off the bat we were excited to see a Hermit Thrush, and then a beautiful female Eastern Towhee joined the sparrows, juncos, and others there.
At the boat ramp, the river and creek were not very busy, but a couple of pairs of Long-tailed Ducks foraged fairly close to us for good views. We watched a raptor fly over and then land in the marsh for a long time, as it seemed to transmogrify back-and-forth between a Rough-legged Hawk and a Northern Harrier. Detailed examination of photos finally yielded the latter identification. The river was much busier nearer the mouth, where from the main parking lot we eventually found both Red-throated and Common Loons, and a few Horned Grebes, who joined many Common Eiders both in the river and the ocean. The number of scoters was lower than expected, however. An American Pipit made a brief, wan appearance as it flew over us in a rush to make landfall in the open areas past the parking lot.
Next it was time to skeedadle back to Plum Island, to see what we could scare up on the north half of the refuge. No shortage of definitive views of Rough-legged Hawks there! Soon after finding one at Hellcat, we ran into two more in the pannes/North Marsh zone. Walking up to the Hellcat dike, we took in the plan for construction of an all-new and fully accessible boardwalk system, which means the boardwalk will be closed for about a year. Finding patience for that opening will be hard, but the new boardwalk will be much safer, and available to anyone who needs wheeled assistance. I know a couple of birders who will be happy to make use of that, and we will no longer fall through holes opening under rotten boards, or be as likely to back off of the edge!
The marshes and dikes were very very quiet in the bright sun, under a beautiful layer of snow. We stood and took in the height of sun for the day, not saying much, but that brief, still moment was peaceful and clear. A pair of harriers flew north over the dunes, and as we began to turn to see who else might be waiting in the thickets, two of our birders pointed out a lone little bird perched at the highest spot in the treeline. Could it be?? YES!! After chasing reports many times this fall, we found our first Northern Shrike for a WMB, and great merriment ensued. Hellcat magic is still strong!
Here we are, at the moment of the deepest darkness of the year, just as we celebrate the birth of lengthening light. At Joppa Flats, we hope that you are warm and snug during these frigid nights, hugged by the winter darkness like a sleeping bear. Welcome to this new season of growing light, as we cavort in the low winter sun with all our visiting and resident birds, witness the age-old stories that animals’ tracks tell, watch the traces of blowing weeds on the snow. We are so thankful for all of you, for your love of living things on our shore and beyond.
Our list:
Salisbury —
Gadwall (2) -flyover, boat ramp.
Mallard (8)
American Black Duck – common.
Common Eider (~ 70)
White-winged Scoter (6)
Long-tailed Duck (5)
Bufflehead (~ 50)
Common Goldeneye (4)
Red-breasted Merganser (2)
Horned Grebe (3)
Mourning Dove (1)
Sanderling (1)
Ring-billed Gull (~ 10) – main parking lot.
Herring Gull – common.
Great Black-backed Gull (1)
Red-throated Loon (2)
Common Loon (2)
Red-tailed Hawk (1)
Northern Harrier (1)
American Crow (1)
Black-capped Chickadee (1)
Hermit Thrush (1) – “owl thicket.”
Northern Mockingbird (2)
European Starling (1)
American Pipit (1) – flyover.
American Tree Sparrow (3) – “owl thicket.”
Dark-eyed Junco (2) – “owl thicket.”
White-throated Sparrow (5) – “owl thicket.”
Song Sparrow (~ 8) – “owl thicket.”
Eastern Towhee (1) – female; “owl thicket.”
Northern Cardinal (4) – “owl thicket.”
Plum Island —
Canada Goose (12) – south end of Bill Forward Pool (BFP).
American Black Duck – common.
Red-breasted Merganser (1) – BFP.
Rock Pigeon (~ 30) – on wires n. refuge gate.
Northern Harrier (3)
Rough-legged Hawk (2)
Downy Woodpecker (2) – Hellcat parking area.
Northern Shrike (1) – adult; seen from Hellcat dike atop birch to east near refuge road.
American Crow (2)
American Robin (~ 15) – various, roadside.
White-throated Sparrow (~ 5) – Hellcat parking area.
Song Sparrow (3) – roadside.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (4) – Hellcat parking area.