Cape Cod Bird Nerd

Sunday, May 11, 2014

5.11.14 - Mother's Day - Beech Forest Trail

Provincetown, MA

It's not every family that will spoil a mother rotten by going on a hike on Mother's Day, but my wonderful husband suggested it, because he knows how much I love the location and the activity that occurs at the Beech Forest Trail in Provincetown. If you are patient and quiet enough, you will receive sweet visits from Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse and so many other bird species. It is a SPECTACULAR Bird Nerd spot. Thank you to my incredible family for giving me this day. I couldn't think of a better way to be appreciated on Mother's Day! (click on photos to enlarge)

Our List:

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-throated Sparrow

White-breasted Nuthatch

Canada goose

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Eastern Towhee

Osprey

Turkey Vulture

Chipping Sparrow

Downy Woodpecker

Grey Catbird

American Crow

Pine Warbler

...and at Race Point:

Common Tern

Laughing Gull

Red-Breasted Merganser

That Black-capped Chickadee is interested

Success!

Painted Turtles basking in the sunny pond

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Gray Catbird

Red-Winged Blackbird (male)

PATIENCE gone... (he lasted a long time)

Happy Mommy Me

This was a juvenile Black-capped Chickadee!

White-throated Sparrow

White-breasted Nuthatch

Chipping Sparrow

I have never seen Race Point so calm.

Laughing Gull & Common Tern

Hope you had a very Happy Mother's Day too!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

5.6.14 - Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History - Tuesday Tweets

Lee Baldwin Trail - Brewster, MA

Somehow I had a positive feeling about our bird walk this brilliantly sunny spring morning. Just as we were about to begin our walk, two new comers, Linda & Greg asked me, "Have you seen the owl...?"

"What owl?" I asked...

"The Great Horned Owl...and its baby."

"WHAT? Well, let's go THAT way!" And so we did. The magical bird nerd moments seem to occur when I'm least expecting them! Not so many words in this entry, because even though my camera has its limitations, the images steal the show. There was NOTHING that could get my mood to change after seeing what we saw. I shared the moment with as many folks as would listen to me. As Stephen King would say (I'm pretty sure he uses this term), gooseflesh. I had gooseflesh all day...or owlflesh. It was incredible.

Our List:

Great-horned Owl

Black-capped Chickadee

Northern Cardinal

Song Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

Blue Jay

Great Black-backed Gull

Herring Gull

Tufted Titmouse

Osprey

American Crow

Downy Woodpecker

White-breasted Nuthatch

We heard:

Northern Flicker

(click on photos to enlarge)

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl - juvenile

I really couldn't get enough of this baby...well...

I've NEVER seen one in person before! I'm STILL smiling about it!

Beech forest

Downy Woodpecker (female)

Can you spot the Osprey soaring?

Downy Woodpecker (female)

Mr.& Mrs. Downy Woodpecker

Red-winged Blackbird (male)

Robert Taft Olmstead plaque

Beech branches stretching into the sunshine

Tufted Titmouse

Natural staircase

Blue Jays

Mummichogs

Great Black-backed Gull (juveniles)

Gulls hunting for herring over Stony Brook

Song Sparrow

Gulls searching for an easy meal...

...and I can't resist one last look, at this ADORABLE little face!!! Whooooo could?!?!

Next Tuesday Tweets - 5.20.14 - 9:30-10:30am - Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History
Brewster, MA ( $2Member/$4Non-member)
Happy Birding!

Saturday, May 3, 2014

5.2.14 - Bird Nerd Experience - Birdwatching For Beginners
Teaticket School - Falmouth, MA

Sharing my bird-nerdiness with kids is just one of the benefits of working at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster. I was fortunate to be asked to visit four 3rd grade classes at the Teaticket Elementary school, thanks to Mrs.Dwyer. The students were so wonderful and attentive and knowledgeable about birds... as I have learned, kids usually are. I enjoy their insights and stories of birds so much, and I learn from them when they comment and share all sorts of feathery tales. Bringing the classroom outside is the ultimate goal and the weather pulled through for us as it turned out to be spectacularly sunny. I didn't have time to photograph the birds that we saw and heard when we were outside, although I know the teachers got some good photo opportunities! I wanted to make a list of the birds we saw and heard. Below I've shared a few photos of a Pine Warbler that was in my yard the day before. Three of the four classes got a great look at a Pine Warbler, and EVERY class got to hear his beautiful song. I want the students to be able to see what one looks like and to see the field marks we discussed if they have a chance to visit this blog. Thanks so much to Mrs.Turner, Mrs.Moran, Mrs.Geist & especially Mrs.Dwyer, for asking me to visit Teaticket School. I cannot wait to return!

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Seriously camouflaged

Note the dark beak and eyes and the two white wing bars.

I'll be anxious to hear what the students' bird counts were to and from school! Remember kiddos - it's not a competition, it's a collaboration, and it's GREAT Citizen Science!

Happy Birding!

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

4.28.14 - Bird Nerd Moment - My friend Sylvia's garage

Yarmouthport, MA

It's good to know so many bird nerds, and thankfully I get to call many friends, and they share their bird stories with me. My friend Sylvia let me know that some friendly & trusting Carolina Wrens had built a nest in her garage. I was SHOCKED when I saw the size of this elaborate nest! "THEY BUILT THAT?!", was my initial reaction. Tiny birds with big voices, can build BIG nests! I know that wrens can be quite opportunistic about nest locations. I've seen their nests in wreaths on doors. How did they get into the garage? There is a small hole where the garage door meets the cement that the birds use to get in and out. It's a brilliant nest placement for shelter and warmth since we've had such a chilly spring. I took a picture of the nest next to a bike helmet for scale. We did see the parents for a few seconds, but they startled and took off while I snapped a few photos. Carolina Wren babies are altricial, meaning naked, eyes closed, basically helpless. These babies are waiting for Mom & Dad to come back with supper.

(click photos to enlarge)