Thursday, 1 January 2015

December 2014

Mostly not birding this month, however I did spot an unusually late Black-and-White Warbler in Brookline on Saturday 20th.

Black-and-white Warbler

On Boxing Day I was in Florida again for family fun which started at the Sarasota Big Cat park where I observed flyover Wood Stork and a big group of 30 Boat-Tailed Grackle in the park’s small trees.

Saturday 27th, Sarasota Big Cat Park, FL, USA.

A family beach day at Siesta Key surprised me with a life-tick NANDAY PARAKEET which was squawking from the wires above the car-park! Later in the day I observed a Magnificent Frigatebird over the sea.

Tuesday 30th, Siesta Key, FL, USA.

Finally a drive out to Gasparilla Island to experience a new part of the area although the regular species were all that I saw.

Wednesday 31st, Gasparilla Island, FL, USA.

Thursday, 27 November 2014

November 2014

Just one patch visit to Leverett Pond but still some summer species present although the winter ducks were also arriving. There were 57 Wood Duck, a high count for me at this location!

Sunday 16th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA. 

Later in that month, I bizarrely saw a Common Raven outside Trader Joe’s in Brookline! It’s one of those sightings that I don’t believe after the bird has gone, but it was definitely there.

Sunday 23rd, BoA/TJ's Parking Lot, Coolidge Corner, MA, USA.

A couple days later I was afforded a full day out on Plum Island/Parker River NWR. To start the day, I had crippling views of a couple Snowy Owls, including one that sat on the Lot 2 Dunes for ages, after jousted with another right in front of me! While I watched a flock of Shore Lark also moved around the dunes.
At the salt pannes, a male American Wigeon and 15 Northern Pintail, followed by Northern Harrier at North Pool.
At Bill Forward Pool more ducks but most numerous again were 49 Northern Pintail.
From Lot 6 Dunes a good selection of seabirds including a Red-Necked Grebe.
Stage Island Pool had a half dozen Bufflehead, a Red-Throated Loon/Diver.
Finally as the light faded, Emerson Rocks hosted Greater Scaup and Long-Tailed Duck among others.

Tuesday 25th, Parker River NWT, MA, USA:
Lot 2 Dunes,
Salt Pannes,
North Pool Overlook,
Bill Forward Pool,
Lot 6 Dunes,
Stage Island Pool,
Emerson Rocks.

Monday, 27 October 2014

October 2014

Things picked up a little from previous months with a first visit to Cumberland Farms. The BBC walk didn’t show up so I went around with someone else who had expected to join it. Most notable were 20 Bobolink, but we dipped on a lincoln’s sparrow.

Sunday 12th, Cumberland Farms, MA, USA.

A couple of Olmsted Park patch visits revealed some fall migrants. On the 12th, Golden-Crowned Kinglet and a flyover site-tick Turkey Vulture. On the 26th, a site-tick Nashville Warbler as well as 2 Hairy Woodpecker and 53 Wood Duck!

Sunday 12th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 12th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 26th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.

At home I observed a Yellow-Rumped Warbler on the 25th.

Friday, 26 September 2014

September 2014

I had a trip to the UK where I visited Hunstanton Cliffs and saw the resident Northern Fulmar and some passage Northen Gannet.

Wednesday 3rd, Hunstanton Cliffs, Norfolk, UK.

I also visited RSPB Titchwell where I walked the new East Trail for the first time. Among the 53 species I saw the most notable where 1 flyover Eurasian Spoonbill, 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank and 3 Little Stint. The stint were a site-tick and maybe even a life-tick.

Friday 6th, RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk, UK.

On returning to the US I didn’t make any patch visits but did hear another Eastern Screech Owl at home on the 21st.

Tuesday, 26 August 2014

August 2014

Another slower one but at home in Brookline I again recorded Common Nighthawk activity throughout the month, as well as hearing an Eastern Screech-Owl (10th) and Carolina Wren (23rd). 

I managed 2 Olmsted Park patch visits, 2nd and 24th, the latter providing Cooper’s Hawk and Willow Flycatcher, both Leverett Pond site-ticks.

Saturday 2nd, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 24th, Leverett Pond, MA, USA.

Sunday 24th, Willow Pond, MA, USA.
Sunday 24th, Ward's Pond, MA, USA.

Saturday, 26 July 2014

July 2014

A slow month during which I visited Rachel Carson NWR, Maine one evening, more to take in the scenery than find many birds.

Saturday 12th, Rachel Carson NWR, ME, USA.

At home in Brookline I noted a lot of Common Nighthawk activity, indicative of a breeding population I think.