4.27.20  Another drizzly walk - My neighborhood
Yarmouth, MA

It is not easy living without being able to visit with, celebrate with or work with friends and family these days.  I know I've mentioned it before, but heading out on a walk, by yourself or with your family and/or roommates, is a healthy way to spend some time.  If you're on Cape Cod, you'll definitely want to bundle up these days.  It will be so nice to have a stretch of warmer days... C'mon MAY!

I hope you are staying safe and getting some time in nature for yourself.  To me, the air is cleaner these days and I do believe wildlife is taking advantage of the pause we humans have been forced to take.  This was from a walk earlier this morning and there is a particular area in my neighborhood where about two weeks ago, I heard my first Eastern Towhee of 2020.  I didn't see him that day... it took another couple of days.  Today I heard SEVERAL Towhees!  Spring is here... even though it doesn't feel much like it.  The blooms are budding though, no matter how grey the sky is and windy the weather has been.  Hope you can hear the Eastern Towhee in the video.  I've posted one of my photos of an Eastern Towhee seen about a year ago so you can also see what they look like!

Eastern Towhee - male

Eastern Towhee - female

Happy Birding!

4.26.20  Bird Walk - Trail in my neighborhood
Yarmouth, MA

Considering most humans are staying at home and obeying the safety guidelines so as not to spread our germs ... going for a walk is a healthy activity!  The air is fresh even when it's drizzly.  Remember to always do a tick check after a walk in the woods or fields or marshes.
Let me know what you are seeing and hearing on your walk!  I love including photos too, but I'm bringing my phone only on rainy walks, I can't bring my camera.  In the video below, I mention some bird calls and songs - one I incorrectly identify because I have two hoods and a warm hat on obstructing my ears a bit.  Also worth mentioning... when you are welcoming migrants back to your neighborhood, sometimes it takes a few minutes to access that sound file in your brain to remember which bird you're hearing, no matter how much of a bird nerd you may be! 

If you are new to bird song and learning who is who, my best advice is this.  Sit in your yard, mornings are best, and listen for a close by bird.  Try to slowly get closer to that bird, or use your binoculars if you have them.  Watch and listen.  That information WILL get stored, it does take repetition though.  Now is NOT the time of year to use bird calls on your phone to "attract" birds.  This is mating season and it can be very stressful for songbirds to hear random and unexpected bird calls out of nowhere.  Remember - their language is not really something humans can translate, meaning, who KNOWS what those pre-recorded bird calls are actually meaning to the birds that hear it.  Get outside and enjoy the birds!

Happy Birding!

4.22.20  Happy Earth Day - My yard
Yarmouth, MA

I feel as though I'm behind schedule... but right now, this Earth Day, I believe we all are a bit behind schedule.  Many of us are not on any type of schedule at ALL!  The Covid-19 pandemic has changed our lives dramatically.  I am hoping you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.  

I have missed my blog and missed the writing and missed the birdwatching!  Earth Day comes as an inspiration for me to hop back in, so here I am with a nature scavenger hunt.  You may notice the tone of it is geared toward preschoolers.  That is quite intentional as I have added a new love in my life - preschool assistant!  I can't wait to get back to school with the kiddos.  This will have to do for now.  May this offer a bit of inspiration to get out in your own yard to find amazing things!  I hope you enjoy...

Happy Earth Day and Happy Birding!