5-13-23  Historical Society of Old Yarmouth (HSOY) Walk   Botanical Trails                                Yarmouthport, MA     (bird sighting list and photos below)

It has been an annual tradition for several years now, that each May, a bunch of bird nerds gather behind the Yarmouthport Post Office, for a bird walk/hike in the glorious sunshine!  The weather this year happened to be ideal, not too hot, not too cold, and just right to enjoy the sights and sounds surrounding us that morning.  The trails were blossoming in all directions and the bird species we spotted and heard kept us very entertained the entire time we were together.  I feel slightly guilty that I was able to capture some decent photos of a male Yellow Warbler just as I was leaving.  I had already packed up my camera, but I had to try!  This little songbird gave me time to get some nice photos.

I look forward to this walk every single year and it was a treat as usual getting to visit with familiar faces and some new ones too!  Bird Nerds are everywhere, just like birds and it makes the time in outdoor spaces so enjoyable to share it with nature-appreciating folks.  Thank you SO MUCH Bill and Margaret for organizing this event!  I thoroughly enjoy it and it's always something I look forward to.  Thanks also to Nancy, Amanda, Fran and Marie for being there and I am so glad we were able to connect in the woods with you Pat and Brenda!  It was a wonderful time! 

Our List: (who we both saw and heard)

Grey Catbird * American Robin * Blue Jay * Northern Cardinal * Tufted Titmouse * Downy Woodpecker * White-breasted Nuthatch * Great-crested Flycatcher * Red-winged Blackbird * Belted Kingfisher * Red-bellied Woodpecker * Baltimore Oriole * Eastern Towhee * Black-capped Chickadee * Mourning Dove * Carolina Wren * Tree Swallow  (and the bonus bird that only I got to see * Yellow Warbler)

Bird Nerds on the trail

Not easy to spot from this angle, but there is a
☮ constructed out of branches on the ground

☮

Fairy Village

The Weeping Beech
So lovely, it makes me weep

Grey Catbirds

Yellow Warbler - Male

Yellow Warbler - Male
I couldn't stop taking photos of him!

Baltimore Oriole - male

Dragonfly

VERY HARD TO SEE, 2 Painted Turtle heads 
sticking out of the water

I believe these are Dwarf Yellow Water Lilies

Pond-side surprises

Eastern Towhee backside - male

Eastern Towhee - male

Great-crested Flycatcher

Dragonfly

Red-winged Blackbird - male

Red-winged Blackbird - male

View of Millers Pond from the trail

Dwarf Yellow Water Lilies

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker trying to dodge the lens

Bird on a nest.  These are the tail feathers sticking upward 
to the right.  I believe it is an American Robin sitting on the nest, 
but I didn't want to stress her out too much so
I took this with my long lens.

Grey Catbird

American Robin - male

Happy Birding!