New England was on the receiving end of some beautiful spring-like weather over the weekend. High pressure over the region sent temperatures into the 50′s in some areas with crystal clear skies. Sharon and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and made a trip to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island in Massachusetts.
Arriving at sunrise, the air was crisp and cool. Canada Geese were honking and flying everywhere. Hundreds of red-winged Blackbirds dotted the immense landscape, their “okalee” song rolling across the flats. Black Ducks, Northern Pintails and Green-winged Teal were feeding in the pannes.
Map is interactive. Marker shows location of the refuge.
Near the Hellcat Wildlife Observation Area we saw three Merlin. One was in a tree near the restrooms, the other two flying over the marsh just south of the observation tower. Further south on the island, a Northern Harrier was found hovering near the Stage Island Pool Overlook. An adult Bald Eagle was seen in the distance in the area of Emerson Rocks.
The Snowy Owls that had been reported on the refuge were being evasive. We looked at every white spot in the marshes and dunes with close scrutiny. We were about to give up and head home. Near the end of the refuge at the salt pannes, we saw a group of people looking through scopes. We pulled over and asked what was out there and the reply came back, “a Snowy Owl”!
Indeed, after looking through the scope there it was, a good 200 yards away. Impossible to get a photo at that distance, but a life bird for my wife.
Here is our bird tally for Sunday morning at the Parker River NWR.
Location: Parker River NWR
Observation date: 3/15/09
Notes: Clear. light winds. Start temp 30 F, end temp 44 F.
Number of species: 33Canada Goose 60
American Black Duck 44
Mallard 16
Northern Pintail 11
Green-winged Teal 25
Green-winged Teal (American) 12
Ring-necked Duck 5
Bufflehead 20
Common Goldeneye 16
Hooded Merganser 4
Red-breasted Merganser 9
Red-throated Loon 1
Common Loon 14
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Merlin 3
Mourning Dove 35
Snowy Owl 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Killdeer 7
Blue Jay 21
American Crow 66
Black-capped Chickadee 12
American Robin 35
Northern Mockingbird 6
Cedar Waxwing 10
Song Sparrow 15
Dark-eyed Junco 11
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 102
Common Grackle 20
American Goldfinch 19This report was generated automatically by eBird v2 http://ebird.org
Most of the birds we saw were just too far off for photographs. As we get into April, more and more species will be settling into the refuge and more oppurtunities for us to return for bird photography.
Clicking a thumbnail will enlarge the photo. After enlarging a photo, you may use the arrows at the bottom of the photo to go to the next photo.
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- American Robin
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- Canada Geese
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- Canada Geese
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- Green-winged Teal
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- Killdeer
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- Killdeer
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- Mourning Dove
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- Northern Pintails
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- Red-winged Blackbird
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- Red-winged Blackbird
Happy birding!
{ 9 comments }
That is quite the drive for me but one day I’ll head up there.
Great shots!
I’m so envious of your list! We drove down to the Erie National Wildlife Refuge to attend a meeting tonight and drove around a bit but just didn’t see anything except for some Canada Geese and Red-winged Blackbirds. Another week or two before all the birds start coming into that area, I guess. Your photos are so clear. You must have a great lens!
You saw a LOT of birds!! Love the killdeer photo. I can’t wait to see one of those myself this year.
OOH LA LA!! A wonderful day at Plum Island. I am in hopes of my first visit there this spring. It is one of my brother-in-law’s favorite sites! Thanks for sharing your little adventure.
Thanks Andy, Kim and kaholly!
Linda, thank you!
I love the lens that I have. It’s a Canon 100-400mm L IS on a Canon 40D body.
I love how you caught that red winged blackbird w/ his wings fluffed out – wonderful! And those killdeer are just such fun birds to watch! You had an enviable variety!!
I went to Plum Island on New Year’s day a couple of years ago, it was a beautiful place and you certainly got some great photographs. Unfortunately when I was there it was duck hunting season. The hunters out in their boats shooting toward land made me kind of nervous even though I don’t think the shot would’ve reached that far. It was also unfortunate to see a few wounded ducks washed up on the shore.
Howdee John.
I am now just catching up on your blog…been busy at the rally here..and also crap of an internet connection! Looks like this was a great day of birding ..even though you couldnt get as close to the birds as you would have liked…spring is coming!
Hey I see you are posting backyard birdies…does that mean I know where you live now???
tee hee..
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