Still Snowy
I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season thus far! Our Snowy Owl visitors continue to spend it here with us, delighting many birders who find a moment to sneak out into the field between presents…or heavy snowfall. Be safe if you are in our local area, and when you can get out, enjoy finding the winter delights like this one. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMerlin Meal
I barely missed my first Snowy Owl of the season earlier today, but my consolation prize was this Merlin finishing up a meal. I am not positive on the identification of the prey, but I did observe the raptor eating the entire leg and foot. Snowy Owls seem to be spreading out all over the region with new sightings coming every day! Have you spotted any yet? I am looking forward to seeing and sharing images of one soon… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreAmerican Tree Sparrow
Here’s a look at a little bit of lingering green, thanks to some holly trees, with a lovely American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea). This cute bird is one of many on the move to the south right now. We are far enough into the season that these winter residents, along with species like the White-throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco, are beginning to fill up our yards. Be careful not to confuse their rufous caps with the similar Chipping Sparrow. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreLincoln’s Sparrow
Talk about contrast! A bright sunny morning made it tough to discern what this perching bird was, but a little more light with eyes adjusting in the binoculars then lowering shutter speed and raising ISO allowed for a better look at this posing Lincoln’s Sparrow.
Read MoreGrassland Migrants
Yesterday I was able to enjoy and photograph a couple of uncommon grassland birds for us in the Northeast – the Dickcissel (Spiza americana) and the Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum). Both of these species had been spotted at Stratford Point where they are almost annual visitors, with Dickcissels typically stopping over in the fall and Grasshopper Sparrows being seen sometimes in both spring and autumn. I decided to take a walk around the site with my friend and great birder Tom Murray as we were giving the sparrows some space in hopes the unseen Grasshopper would pop back...
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