Yarmouthport, MA
This is the fourth year the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth has asked me to lead a bird walk along the very green and lovely botanical trails that wrap around Miller Pond in Yarmouthport. We were concerned for the weather, but it somehow allowed for us to fit our walk in. We were immediately greeted along the way by a cheerful Song Sparrow, a curious American Robin and an early-blooming rhododendron! Spectacular!
The walk this year was scheduled a little earlier in May than in years past, so I was curious myself to discover the birds we'd encounter along the way. There were some species I basically expected due to the habitat, and they did not disappoint, though we didn't see or hear any nuthatches. That was definitely a surprise.
It is the time of year though when Eastern Towhees are calling out, looking for mates and establishing territories. It is common for us to get some great views in and boy did we luck out! I know the foggy weather was affecting some of the settings on my camera, so I didn't get too many photos. The photos of the Eastern Towhees however, I am very pleased with. We got quite a show! I could not get great photos of the warblers who darted about at the top of the oaks and pines overhead, though we were fortunate to get to hear the pretty song of the Pine Warbler. Calls and songs are the greatest way to identify warblers for me. I could not confirm that we also saw a small flock of 6-10 of Yellow-rumped Warblers. I thought it was awfully late in the season to be seeing them, but from the angles and daylight we had available, along with the behavior of the birds, they sure seemed to be the "butter butts" as another bird nerd called them. : )
It was a nice way to get outside between the raindrops that somehow held off, and we had the perfect-sized group as well! (double click photos to enlarge)
Our List:
American Robin
Song Sparrow
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Northern Flicker
Eastern Towhee
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Mourning Dove
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Downy Woodpecker
Pine Warbler
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| American Robin - female ...welcoming us to our walk! |
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| American Robin playing Peek-A-Boo! |
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| American Robin |
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| Eastern Towhee - female |
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| Eastern Towhee - male Singing right in front of us... as if the greeter of the Pond Trail! |
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| What a GIFT to be able to all see him this UP CLOSE! |
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| Yellow-rumped Warbler... another Bird Nerd thought Note the bill... a great field mark for birdwatching |
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| Black-capped Chickadee |
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| Sometimes the best you can get, is a warbler silhouette |
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| Pine Warbler - male SINGING! |
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| Muted greens, greys and browns along the path |
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| Red-winged Blackbird - male |
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| Red-winged Blackbird - male Puffing out his tail as he called out his territorial notes |
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| A tree with a presence, a Post Oak... I think |
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| A welcoming trail as we rounded the pond |
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| Northern Cardinal - male |
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| I just loved the silhouette of these brand new leaves against the overcast sky |
