Cape Cod Bird Nerd

4.18.19 Bird Nerd Moment - Cape Cod Rail Trail
Dennis & Yarmouth

Paying for auto repairs is just one of those expenses that you have to handle every now and then. Typically, it is not the most convenient predicament, especially when you're talking about the unknown diagnosis on the car and the time factor that can be associated with such maintenance. Why the heck am I talking about auto repairs?! I have been bringing our car to a local vendor now for months - shop locally applies to auto repair as well! They've been very accommodating and helpful and only 2 miles away. I thought, "Hmm....they are not far from the Cape Cod Rail Trail... I'll just drop the car off and walk home!" Wanting to turn what would be a negative effect on my bank account into a positive for me with checking out this new trail was a good motivator.

As soon as I walked about 100 yards on the new pavement of the Dennis section of the Rail Trail, it started to rain. Oh well. This was the main reason I didn't bring my camera along, so my photos are from my phone, nothing fancy about them and the birds didn't provide too many close ups. There are some great views along this stretch of the Rail Trail. What a beautiful job they (not sure who "they" are) did! It is freshly groomed in some areas - three new bridges included - and it's a very safe way to get from here to there, while enjoying peace and quiet even while traveling parallel to Route 6. You DO need to be vigilant while crossing over the main roads though, but safety crosswalks and flashing lights are much appreciated safety features.

Seeing what other people sometimes leave in their back yards made me feel better about the mostly hidden clutter I shove behind our own shed. What I loved most of all was the time I got to spend watching the bird behavior as they worked their morning magic across several habitats that the Cape Cod Rail Trail traverses. I enjoyed it so much, I got an additional 2 miles more of steps for myself to walk back and pick up the car later in the day. There were less birds in the afternoon, which is typical. I can't blame them for enjoying a siesta after their early bird busy time.

Cape Cod offers so many spaces where modern amenities mingle with natural surroundings rather gracefully. Such locations offer a delicate balancing act of a secret habitat sneak peek, via accessible convenience. The design of the Cape Cod Rail Trail has done that uniquely well. (double click photos to enlarge)

My list:
American Robin
Osprey
Black-capped Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco (!!!)
House Sparrow
European Starling
American Goldfinch
Common Grackle
Chipping Sparrow - my first of 2019!
Northern Flicker
Hairy Woodpecker
Tufted Titmouse
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Cardinal
Fish Crow
Blue Jay

American Robin

I SWEAR this was a Dark-eyed Junco!
I just didn't have my binoculars or fancy lens to prove it

I warned that the photos of birds were less than spectacular...
That is the first 2019 Chipping Sparrow for me

Red-winged Blackbird, overlooking Route 6

A southern look at Bass River

The bridge over Bass River dedicated to the late George Allaire. According to Wicked Local's article)
Allaire, the former Yarmouth public works director, was largely responsible for initiating the enormous project.
Nice touch!

I've often wondered why these oaks wait to drop their leaves until the new buds form new leaves in the spring.
I believe it's in order to help certain wildlife build their nests. Thanks to humans, a lot of leaf litter suitable for
nest building is not readily available this time of year thanks to landscaping and yard perfecting.
The oaks have solved a problem for the wildlife... at least that's how I like to think of it.