Cape Cod Bird Nerd

12.2.14 - Cape Cod Museum of Natural History - Tuesday Tweets
John Wing Trail - Brewster, MA

This is the time of year when I love heading to the water, as cold as it gets near the coast, in search of seasonal migrants. The Tuesday Tweets walk did not fail us this morning because we caught some nice glimpses of what I believe was a solitary Common Eider female. I had a difficult time identifying her because she was alone. I have seen another solitary Common Eider female on the Cape Cod Canal, and because I'm such a freak, I always worry a little when their behavior may suggest something's awry. Usually you see Eiders in flocks, the whole safety in numbers theme. My Bird Nerd Mentor, THE Bird Nerd Extraordinare, Peter Trull once wisely said to me, "Don't worry. They're wildlife." I do understand and respect that... it's just the Snow White wannabe in me that pangs with wanting to "help". Sometimes I do intervene, sometimes I don't, sometimes I can't, sometimes I know I shouldn't. There was seemingly nothing wrong with this bird, save that she was alone... and if I'm going to think too long on that, well, I like to have my alone time too. Humans and Eiders are very different though, aren't they. Enough about that... it's merely part of what makes me a nerd. Thanks yet again to Rick for the photos I get to include. They are credited below. He does a great job, doesn't he?! (double click on photos to enlarge)

Our List:
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
American Robin
Northern Flicker
American Black Duck
Northern Cardinal
Great Black-backed Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Song Sparrow
Common Eider (female)