John Wing Trail - Brewster, MA
The whole way to the museum the sky was spitting and I was so concerned I was going to have to cancel the walk. It was cold too and that is just not a great time, slowly walking in freezing rain, looking for birds who know better than to be flitting about unless they really have to in that kind of weather. As I parked my car and turned off the wipers, took the keys out of the ignition and opened the door... I heard that sound, that SOUND OF SPRING! AN Osprey's cry... soaring above the museum! There was NO WAY I was cancelling the walk now, and even if folks showed up and didn't want to stand outside in this weather ( never underestimate a bird nerd's determined dressing for the elements ) I was going to enjoy Osprey-watch, which is exactly what it became. I knew our migrating friends had returned because I was so concerned about them the week before with the terrible storm brewing upon their untimely return. Seems they found shelter somewhere because there were not one, but two Osprey pairs vying for the coveted nest on the marsh behind the museum. We also did see and hear many song birds along the marsh trail, but those fish hawks completely stole the show.
Our list:
Osprey
Northern Cardinal
Black-capped Chickadee
Song Sparrow
American Black Duck
American Crow
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
White-breasted Nuthatch
Downy Woodpecker (male)
The entire hour those birds were soaring, unbothered by our presence, about 20 feet over our heads at times It was truly an awesome Tuesday Tweets! Next opportunity for Tuesday Tweets is 4/22 at 9:30am. Happy Spring!
Osprey
Northern Cardinal
Black-capped Chickadee
Song Sparrow
American Black Duck
American Crow
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
White-breasted Nuthatch
Downy Woodpecker (male)
Osprey
Osprey, attempting to claim the nest
Osprey
Gulls
Northern Cardinal (male)
What was incredible to observe was the bickering and competing for the familiar platform nest, and nothing from our vantage point appeared hugely violent, but I wouldn't want to mess with those talons! We lingered long enough to get to see the winning pair take over. They waited for a few minutes on the nest together...after they 'won'...and shortly after that, one started bringing new branches to their new home, while the other one guarded their nest. What a moment we got to experience! How The Nest Was Won!
Opsrey
Osprey
guarding the nest
The Winners
Osprey in the marsh
Osprey pair 2014
The entire hour those birds were soaring, unbothered by our presence, about 20 feet over our heads at times It was truly an awesome Tuesday Tweets! Next opportunity for Tuesday Tweets is 4/22 at 9:30am. Happy Spring!
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