With David Moon on a scouting trip in southeastern Texas, David Larson joined me for a very pleasant day to be out and about in the interest of birds. The weather gave us a break with overcast to partly cloudy skies, temps in the upper 40s to an even 50 degrees, and variable winds very low on the miles-per-hour scale–it really was quite delightful.
We first visited Common Pasture, the wet meadow on Scotland Road where we found a number of ducks, including American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, a pair of Northern Shovelers, a few elegant Northern Pintails, and over 200 Green-winged Teal. That gathering of teal was quite a sight. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate the Eurasian Wigeon David Larson had seen there a day or two earlier. Scattered around the meadow were many male Red-winged Blackbirds starting to set up their territories in anticipation of the females arriving. A couple of Black-capped Chickadees sang nearby and a Tufted Titmouse behind us, gave out a “Peter, Peter, Peter” to announce its presence. We were on the lookout for the first Wilson Snipe of the season, but came up empty.
En route to Plum Island, just east and north of the airport, we spotted two Bald Eagles perched on what appeared to be logs at the edge of the water. Both birds were in varying stages of molt of 3rd-year birds (see below Mike Densmore’s photo of the same birds taken before WMB started).
Immature Bald Eagles (3rd year) – Mike Densmore
The first bird to greet us on Plum Island, aside from a gull or two, was a darkish Snowy Owl perched out in the marsh west of parking lot #2. Not the greatest look in the world, but a Snowy, nonetheless. At the northeast corner of the main panne, we found a Killdeer, the first of three we would see this morning. Due west of the main panne, a dark raptor perched on a staddle was a female Northern Harrier. In flight, you could see the white at the base of the tail and its lilting flight over the marsh, the dihedral of its wings quite pronounced. American Black Ducks, a few Mallards, and Canada Geese were actively feeding in the marsh. Geese will be on the nest very soon; some may already be there.
Snowy Owl – Mike Densmore
Killdeer – John Linn
At the North Pool Overlook, there were a couple of pair of geese and a single Common Grackle perched atop the island cedar. Hmmm, not very exciting. It was pretty quiet. Hellcat provided us a few more birds, but relatively speaking, not much was going on. On Bill Forward Pool, there were a few Green-winged Teal, several pair of Northern Pintails, and a lone drake Bufflehead. To the west of the dike, some more Buffleheads could be seen in the open water and there were also a few Red-breasted Mergansers.
We decided to head back up the refuge road and visit the north end of the island at the mouth of the Merrimack River in hopes of more action. En route, we spooked a Red-tailed Hawk from its roadside perch at the north end of the S-curves — we all had good looks as it spiraled upward on a thermal, red tail showing brightly in the sunshine. Also along the roadside, there were Song Sparrows, a few Dark-eyed Juncos, and a small flock of five American Tree Sparrows. Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles seemed to be omnipresent on and around the marsh.
Arriving at the north end of the island, what to our wondering eyes should appear atop the Coast Guard building, but a very accessible lighter Snowy Owl! We have seen Snowies here before, so no great surprise, but what a wonderful way to conclude our heretofore-less-than-busy morning.
Snowy Owl on Coast Guard building, north end Plum Island – John Linn
Then, to further bring a satisfying conclusion to Wednesday Morning Birding, out over and on the Merrimack were a number of waterbirds, including White-winged Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Common Goldeneyes, a number of Common Loons in varying degrees of molt, a lone Red-throated Loon still in white-throated winter plumage, and overhead winging their way north, six Common Mergansers, two hens and four drakes. Very nice!
White-winged Scoters, 1st winter drakes – Susan Balser
White-winged Scoter, 1st winter drake – Mike Densmore
Common Loon with crab du jour (note molting into checkerboard breeding plumage) – Mike Densmore
Common Mergansers – John Linn
Hope to see you all next time around — yes, the weather is improving!
All the best!
Dave Weaver
Our list:
Scotland Road —
Canada Goose
Mute Swan (2) – ads, pond at jct of Scotland Rd & HIghfield St.
American Wigeon (~ 30)
American Black Duck – common.
Mallard (~ 35)
Northern Shoveler (2) – pr.
Northern Pintail (6)
Green-winged Teal (~ 200)
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee (2)
Tufted Titmouse (1)
Song Sparrow (2)
White-throated Sparrow (1)
Northern Cardinal (1)
Red-winged Blackbird – common.
Common Grackle – a few.
Plum Island —
Canada Goose
American Black Duck – common.
Mallard – common.
Northern Pintail (8) – BFP.
Green-winged Teal (4) – BFP.
White-winged Scoter (~ 12) – n.end.
Long-tailed Duck (~ 8) – n. end.
Bufflehead (~ 8) – various.
Common Goldeneye (8) – 6, PI River; 2, n. end.
Common Merganser (6) – flyby over mouth of Merrimack R.
Red-breasted Merganser (~ 15) – various.
Red-throated Loon (1) – n.end.
Common Loon (~ 10) – n. end.
[Bald Eagle (2) – 1 4th yr, 1 3rd yr; perched edge of Merrimack across
from and east of PI Airport.]
Northern Harrier (1) – female, w. main panne perched on staddle.
Red-tailed Hawk (1) – spooked from tree roadside, n. end S-curves.
Killdeer (3)
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull (1)
Rock Pigeon – PI bridge.
Snowy Owl (2) – 1, on vegetative mound at water’s edge due w. parking
lot #2; 1, perched atop Coast Guard station n. end.
Blue Jay (4)
American Crow – common.
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow (5)
Song Sparrow – common.
Dark-eyed Junco (3)
Northern Cardinal (2)
Red-winged Blackbird – common.
Common Grackle – common.
House Finch (1) – female, Hellcat.