Monthly Archives: April 2022

The first warblers have appeared. These advance scouts foreshadow the main migration in May. These are some photographs from this still early migration season. One of the two early warblers is this Pine Warbler. We hear more of them than we see. The other warbler that we have seen lately is the Palm Warbler. TheContinue reading “More Early Migration”

Everyone is watching for the spring arrivals and the migrants who stop to rest before continuing their trips. We are also getting our last looks at the wintering ducks that are disappearing as they migrate north to breed. These pictures are from Plum Island Sound on the southern end of the island. All the birdsContinue reading “Busy Airspace”

This is a sampling of the first big wave of migrants and summer residents that arrived in the past 7-10 days. The previous post focused on the Kinglets. This post highlights the variety of birds we are seeing. Piping Plovers are selecting nesting sites and restricted areas have been set up on the beaches toContinue reading “Migration – Early Arrivals”

There was a big surge in the spring migration this past week, including large flocks of Hermit Thrush, Northern Flicker and Kinglets. The first shorebirds starting arriving as well, including Yellowlegs and Pectoral Sandpiper. Add in the increased activity and vocalization by our resident birds and it made for a very busy week. I’ll startContinue reading “Migration – Kinglets”

These are photographs from a flooded meadow and a swamp that highlight some of our water loving birds. Great Blue Herons in flight have a prehistoric look. This one is using some feathers to reduce lift as it comes in for a landing, just like spoilers on an airplane. Of course the birds had thisContinue reading “Wetlands”

Tree Swallows have returned and are starting to nest. These pictures were taken in a swamp with lots of dead trees that provide nest sites. And swamps have lots of yummy insects for the Swallows to snatch out of the air and that’s a bonus. I have managed to get pictures of them as theyContinue reading “Return of the Tree Swallows”

There is an old apple orchard in a town just west of me that has become one of my favorite birding sites. It is now owned by the town of Pepperell, Massachusetts and is preserved as open land for walking, nature walks, etc. I went there to scout out the trail conditions but did notContinue reading “Visit to an Old Orchard”

Early spring is typically the wet season here and this spring has been no exception. The camera and I are weather sealed so we put on our rain coats and ventured out. True to the sentiment of the title, the ducks had no problems with the on and off rain showers. These are some photosContinue reading “Lovely Weather for Ducks”