Cape Cod Bird Nerd

12.13.16 Tuesday Tweets - John Wing Trail - Secret Trail - Lee Baldwin Trail
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Brewster, MA

The Supermoon Effect! What a nice crowd we had today for Tuesday Tweets! When I chose this particular date months ago... I didn't check the tide chart, nor was I aware that we'd be having another Supermoon tonight! For the Tuesday Tweeters and myself who are familiar with these trails, seeing the saltmarsh flooded certainly gave us pause. I have heard stories of Cape Cod visitors who are not familiar with the tides, or at least less so. Some Cape Codders HAVE to know the tides for their livelihood, their transportation, their hobbies...it's an interesting concept to need to be connected to. I do believe it tends to connect one even more with the natural ebb & flow of our world. It's remarkable how something relatively simple can affect so many variables. I couldn't take my eyes off the salt marsh - which I realized, probably seemed kinda weird for the new comers! I'm a nerd. I can't help it.

Due to natural forces, we needed to keep our feet as dry as possible, so we were able to visit as many trails as the tide would allow. When we crossed over 6A to the Lee Baldwin Trail, the marsh was deep with water, more so than I've ever seen. This was exactly at high tide and while we were standing at the top of the trail, watching a Red-tailed Hawk's soaring grace... some of us got our feet wet as the tide literally rose around our boots! In the distance, we heard it AGAIN! A Belted Kingfisher! I LOVE their calls and I get excited to hear and see them each time they appear! I like to believe we'll be seeing this bird(s) throughout the winter since they tend to stick around wherever they have successful fish to eat. We'll see if the climate can provide. We also had a nice visit from Steve Haines from the Cape Cod Times whom now I feel is a good luck charm! When we first met Steve, we were treated to a swooping Red-tailed Hawk show... and today's was even more dramatic! If any of his photos make it to the Times, I will let you know! Thanks Steve! Thank you Rick as well for the stunning photos I get to post here in the blog along with my photos! It makes me feel like I should be asking Santa for a new camera! (double click photos to enlarge)

Our List:
House Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
Tufted titmouse
Red-tailed Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Baltimore Oriole ?!?!
Canada Goose
Belted Kingfisher
American Black Duck