A Stateside non-birding trip but with the occasional diversion & walk along the lovely beaches around South Dartmouth as always yielding a few interesting sightings.
Smith Neck Road & Apponagansett Bay (24/10/2008).
Great White Egret on the roadside marsh; a few waders on the small bay next to the main bay were eventually identified as Greater Yellowlegs with a longer bill than their head being the diagnostic attribute; also Double-Crested Cormorant & Great Black-Backed Gull.
Apponagansett Beach (26/10/2008).
Weather: bright & sunny, from 1:30pm.
Main flocks of Ring-Billed Gull, but a much smaller, drak-legged & dark-billed bird I eventually identified a (probable) Bonaparte's Gull before it was disturbed & flew away; distant Mute Swan & overflying then nearby, wing-drying Double-Crested Cormorant; a group of distant raptors built up to seven individuals which drifted over the bay area & as they came closer identified Turkey Vulture; sitting on the bench a curious voice alerted us to a Tufted Titmouse in a nearby pine tree; watching the bay another gull different from the others I eventually identified as a Laughing Gull apparently a late-staying one as they migrate south for the winter; a lone Red-Tailed Hawk soared over & a Herring Gull around the bay.
West Smith Neck Road: Great Blue Heron across the creek.
Smith Neck Road: Greater Yellowlegs on the other side of the road to where it was previously seen.
Smith Neck Road & around (27/10/2008).
Weather: bright & sunny, crisp & still, from 7am.
Backwoods: large numbers of Canada Goose amongst the reeds before moving onto the agricultural field to feed for the rest of the morning; Double-Crested Cormorant, American Crow, Mourning Dove, Black-Capped Chickadee all in the woods or on the extensive creek.
Smith Neck Road & Bay: walking around the suburban area, good numbers of American Robin, Starling, House Sparrow, Bluejay on feeders, a couple of Dark-Eyed Junco on a doorstep, mystery bird (longish bill, upright stance, loud two-toned song); Tufted Titmouse, White-Breasted Nuthatch on feeders & a Common Grackle atop a tree buzzing & whirring to itself.
3 (confirmed) new species.
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