Brewster, MA
Today, I got to lead the Cotuit Bird & Garden Club along the John Wing Trail, north of the museum. I was surprised to discover that MOST of these club members had NEVER been on this particular trail! I was so happy to introduce them to it and to answer their questions and to see and hear some birds with them along the way. Determined to make it to the shore, especially because yesterday we had seen the large flock of Tree Swallows, I was really hoping we'd get to experience the same sight two days in a row... you just never know...
I also felt that I should at least point out the plant species that I am familiar with along the trail. Much of it I've learned not only through my own curiosity, but also from both observing and asking questions of Nancy Wigley, my go-to Botanist. I tell you, I could listen to Nancy speak about poison ivy for 15 minutes and hang on every word. Her book, Trailside Treasures Plants of Cape Cod, is a tribute to this very trail we're walking. It includes photography by Susan W. Carr and gives a narrative about where exactly you can find particular species of plants and ALL ABOUT THEM, right here in Brewster. We were fortunate to run into Nancy after our walk, after I'd been raving about her! You can purchase the book at the fabulous gift shop inside the museum.
What a perfect beach day, which can be a tease... I mean, we were there for the birds...and the plants, and the view, and the sun, and the sand and this amazing Cape we all live on, in, around... it's hard not to jump on in! It was such a nice bunch of curious caring bird and plant lovers. I do hope we get to spend time together again, surrounded by bird and/or leaves of some of their favorite plants. I have been known to say, "If it doesn't poop... I'm not always sure..." I do so respect the plant life we have here on the Cape especially. We are surrounded by a lot of blue...but the green makes it an extra healthy place to call home. (double click photos to enlarge)
Our List:
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Northern Cardinal
White-breasted Nuthatch
Gray Catbird
Tree Swallow
Red-tailed Hawk
American Crow
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Egret
Mourning Dove
Double-crested Cormorant
Common Tern
Semi-palmated Plover
Salt Reed Grass/Big Cord Grass "GOOD" (native)
Phragmites/Common Reed "BAD" (invasive/introduced)
Cotuit Bird & Garden Club on their bird walk
Glasswort AKA: Sea Pickle
Solar Calendar
Poison Ivy
Leaves covered in galls, produced by mites
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| Asters |
Looking Northwest toward Cape Cod Bay...
with Crowes Pasture, Dennis in the distance on the left
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| Ring-billed Gulls resting on the mudflats |
Great Black-backed Gull
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| Great Black-backed Gull, Double-crested Cormorants |
Herring Gull, juvenile & Least Sandpipers
Thanks Cotuit Bird & Garden Club!
Happy Birding!
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