6.17.16 Nature/Bird Walk - Cape Cod Museuem of Natural History
Brewster, MA

During field trip season, I am typically stationed inside the museum, and I was this morning, but then, extra help was needed for the nature walks this afternoon.  Sooooo... off I went into Field Guide mode with about 20 local sixth graders(including my own!) along for the walk with their teachers.  I explained to the group that I do lead bird walks here at the museum regularly, so this walk would be "heavy on the birds".  No wind, lots of sunshine and no math tests (sorry math teachers) made for a nice walk where the goal was to get some hands-on nature, as opposed to "please do not touch".   We did see and hear some birds along the way, but I feel their favorite part was when we finally reached Cape Cod Bay, they had space to spread out, feel the sand between their toes and the ocean on their ankles, the salt air in their noses and see the ocean hues, which are so very pretty, there are no names for the colors.  Thanks Mattacheese Middle School!  Happy almost summer kids & teachers! Teachers... thank YOU for all you do!  It is so often a thankless job and I hope you thoroughly enjoy your summer vacation!  (double click photos to enlarge)

Our List:
Song Sparrow
Osprey
Northern Cardinal
Barn Swallow
Green Heron (!!!)
American Crow
Prairie Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Gray Catbird
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Laughing Gull
Willet
Great Egret
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch

Osprey

Greenhead fly trap on the marsh

Two nest boxes on the marsh

Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy

Meadow & marsh

Willet

Gulls - Great Black-backed, Herring & Laughing

Group of periwinkles

Single periwinkle snail

Great Egret

"Wishing Rock" or "Friendship Rock" (rocks are not my specialty, 

but this one was really cool, and the line in it went straight through, all the way around.

Crab claw

Rock that looked like a tool

Crab molts

Recently deceased Horseshoe Crab (pretty stinky!!!)

Willet

Happy Birding young Bird Nerds!

6.16.16 - Bird Nerd Moment - Gray's Beach / Bass Hole
Yarmouthport, MA

Kids have great ideas.  Not all of their ideas are easy to pull off, and while jumping in the car and driving to the beach may not sound like a hugely daunting task... it just depends on who you're dealing with.  My daughter really wanted to go to a beach in our town, one that typically doesn't have the same appeal as the others.  It is surrounded by a saltmarsh and there's a creek, and the beach itself isn't all that well cared for.  The beauty of this spot though is unquestionable.  At Gray's beach there is an amazing boardwalk!  I have sent lots of folks there because it's such a nice leisurely way to take in the coastal scene, without having to get your feet sandy and wet.  I realize not everyone enjoys that like I do, but most everyone can appreciate a pretty ocean vista.  It's a gorgeous spot!

Getting my son to agree to this jaunt took a baseball and a couple of baseball gloves with the promise of a game of catch.  Whew!  We made it.  I knew we wouldn't be staying long, because before long the sand fleas would be finding us quite tasty, and sure enough they did.  She got in her exploring of the flats, swimming in the creek and marching gently over the marsh to get there.  She had low tide on her side.  The game of catch continued until the sand fleas took over.  

The coolest moment for me though, was when we first arrived.  I heard the familiar Willet call... which basically translates to... "I'm at the beach in warm weather and it's dreamy".  This Willet was perched in a short tree (see photos below) on the edge of the sandy beach, calling out to presumably his/her mate, who was wading on a sand bar.  Normally their behavior is wading, so I was pleasantly surprised to see one perching in a tree.  I was able to get a couple decent photos of the Willet.  For me with Willets, it's all about the sound they make.  It instantly relaxes me and makes me smile, because... I'm at the beach in warm weather... and it's DREAMY.  (double click photos to enlarge)

Willet and moon

Willet taking off

Salt marsh edge - would you walk in and around this?

She would, and she DOES!  Fearless!

My town - view of Cape Cod Bay in the distance

from Gray's Beach, Yarmouthport

Happy Birding!

6.7.16 - Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History - John Wing Trail
Brewster, MA

Our Cape Cod morning began with a rather humid feel, partly cloudy skies, and very musical birds.  It's fabulous when new bird nerds show up and equally awesome seeing familiar faces, some I get to visit with most every Tuesday Tweets and others, come when they can, sometimes kept away on their adventures elsewhere.  What a group of smile-filled faces today.  I'm always happier when it's hot outside, so off we went.  You will notice that there is not the largest collection of photos from our walk.  All of that singing was from many a "shy" bird who chose not to be photographed... it can be frustrating, though I'm enjoying being outside with a bunch of bird-lovers on a beautiful trail in Brewster.  Hard to beat.

Many of us got a glimpse of Cape Cod Bay, though all of us didn't have an opportunity for sand between our toes.  I had some time constraints and had to leave right at the end of Tweets.  I do prefer it when I am available to linger, but it's not always possible.  We all learned the call of the Common Yellowthroat - though easier said than done.  Learning bird calls and songs seems daunting - particularly when you cannot SEE them singing.  It's great to be surrounded by all of those natural peeps, clicks, warbles & sounds.  My list always includes those we've seen AND heard.   Learning new songs is a fun way to challenge yourself... and others!  (double click photos to enlarge)

Our list:
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Gray Catbird
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
American Goldfinch
Great Black-backed Gull
Tufted Titmouse
Common Yellowthroat
American Crow
Prairie Warbler
Pine Warbler
Mourning Dove
Eastern Towhee
Ring-billed Gull
Eastern Kingbird (great eye David!)
Herring Gull

Osprey on the nest

Gray Catbird

Eastern Towhee - camouflaging!

Bird Nerds!  Gotta love 'em!

Next opportunity for Tuesday Tweets: 7.12.16 9:30am $2Members/$4Non-members
Happy Birding!

6.3.16  Bird Nerd Moment - Marshview Room - Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Brewster, MA

Yes, I love creatures of all shapes and sizes.  One of the best tips to keep in mind when identifying birds is their size and shape - combined as a silhouette.  It can work with mammals too, especially when they're all next to each other like comparing these three familiar rodents.  (photographed below)  Not everyone is as familiar with American Red Squirrels as they most likely are with Eastern Gray Squirrels (the most often seen rodent in these parts for sure) and Eastern Chipmunks.  The Marshview Room at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster typically offers excellent viewing of all three of these species.  They seem to forage constantly...storing food for less than optimal weather. The Eastern Chipmunks are extra fun to observe as they dart and spring about!  They'll even boss around some of the birds. Admittedly, the photos here are not fabulous.  I couldn't ask them to pose all at once, looking directly at me.  I've been wanting to get photos of the three together for a LONG time.  It's interesting to see the size difference when they are in such close proximity.   (double click photos to enlarge)

Eastern Gray Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk, American Red Squirrel

 American Red Squirrel, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Eastern Chipmunk

 American Red Squirrel (bottom left), Eastern Gray Squirrel (top on feeder), 

Eastern Chipmunk (bottom right)

Happy Birding... and mammaling!

6.3.16 - Marshview Room - Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Brewster, MA

It's getting busier at the museum these days with many a school group, both local and off-Cape visitors.  I have the luxury on many of these days to be situated in the Marshview Room, the best seat in the house.  You really cannot beat the view, and what I love to say about the birds... (and chipmunks, and Squirrels) they all picked a very nice address to either live at or migrate to each year.  I get to point out species and help people identify birds that they mention that they've seen and are unsure of what they spotted, either right through the windows in the Marshview Room, or elsewhere.  Usually by asking a few questions, I can often figure out what bird they're talking about and they seem so pleased to be able to thenKNOW what they saw.  It always brings a great smile... 
I did photograph some of the artwork that was simply left behind by visitors.  I LOVE children's artwork.  I just LOVE it. (double click photos to enlarge)

Birds are wonderful and it seems simple perhaps, but they bring great joy to those of us who appreciate them.  I'm constantly learning when it comes to birds, which is one of the reasons l love sharing what I've learned along the way.  I was THRILLED to get a close up view of a pair of Cedar Waxwings from the Marshview Room!!!  They seemed to be waiting in line to use the bird baths, but also seemed too intimidated by the bossy House Sparrows that were hogging the scene.  They are good at that...

Cedar Waxwings

Cedar Waxwing

Waiting patiently for the bird bath

Happy Birding!

6.1.16 - Cape Cod Museum of Natural History - Butterfly House is OPEN!
Brewster, MA

If you've never been to a butterfly room or a butterfly house and are interested in visiting one on Cape Cod - you now have your opportunity at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. When I was volunteering there on Sunday, participating in the grand opening & special event - The Butterfly Munch - I was able to take a few photos to show them off here!  It is a beautifully designed house and the native species housed here seasonally help spread the message about how very important they are in a healthy ecosystem.  The photo ops are fabulous and, as is the case for exhibits and events at the museum... there is always an opportunity to learn something new.  I learned how to tell the female from the male Monarch, which I thought was way cool.  See photos below to learn the difference.  Hope you get to spend some time in the Butterfly House at your next visit to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History! (double click photos to enlarge

Gorgeous Monarch Butterflies

Monarch Butterfly (top)

Painted Lady Butterfly (bottom)

I learned the difference between female & male Monarchs.

Notice the veins are much thicker on HER wings & no dots near the veins on 

either side of her lower abdomen.

This is a male Monarch Butterfly.  Notice the veins 

are thinner on the wings and there is a black dot/enlargement

near the veins on either side of his lower abdomen.

Painted Lady Butterfly

These butterflies even kick it like Greg Brady - stylish...

(those bead curtains are actually help entering & exiting the butterfly house, in 

order to assist any potential hitchhiking butterflies on human visitors...

plus they look & sound groovy)

My little butterfly posing with the natives.

Happy Butterflying!  Click here for details on feedings & information for 

the new Butterfly House at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History