Cape Cod Bird Nerd

7-22-22 Private Walk Bell's Neck Conservation Lands Harwich, MA (bird sighting list and photos below)

It is always a lovely surprise to hear from bird nerds that I've known for years and when I heard from Jim and Pam wanting to schedule a guided bird walk - I was thrilled! We opted for Bell's Neck in Harwich, a new spot to them and a diverse location for a bird walk. There are 259 acres that make up this conservation area and it includes varied habitats; including woodlands, a salt water marsh and a fresh water reservoir. This diverse ecosystem did not disappoint. Be sure to check out our bird species list below.

I realize not every person is willing to go for a hike when it's abundantly sunny, 85 degrees and humid, but I have to say, we did well. We immediately started spotting birds even in the small woodsy parking area on Bell's Neck Road. As soon as we got out of our cars, there were 3 Gray Catbirds who didn't seem to be all that excited about our arrival. Across the way in the West Reservoir (fresh water), we immediately began spotting and hearing species after species. One of the great things about birding in my opinion is that it gets you to slow down, watch, listen, appreciate and learn. There's always something to learn when you do that I find. I also feel strongly that when you are on the lookout for birds in particular, it's more about the quality, rather than the quantity. What I mean is that of course it's fantastic to see as many bird species as possible, and WE DID! You don't necessarily have to cover an expansive territory to do so when you get to take in protected habitats such as this.

We did enjoy a nice hike on the shaded wooded trail. I was hoping to get a closer peek at the Belted Kingfisher seen perching on a branch over the water from farther away. He never did show up again, but we got to hear his call when we admired him through binoculars. Spectacular bird! Once we got deeper into the woods and could get a new perspective though, there was a Great Egret Jim spotted in the distance and a pair of terns (I could not tell which tern species - they were too distant) who seemed to be battling over something. Perhaps they were siblings, learning arial acrobatics.

It was important to me to end the walk with a flourish and I wanted to get to the foot bridge over the marsh along the Herring River to see and hear what we would see and hear. What a view! Though Mute Swans are an invasive species, they are always a bird that gives pause. They paddle so elegantly through the water.

A Friday morning bird walk was an ideal way to welcome this late July weekend, for what I feel is the very best time of year here on the Cape. The photos tell the best story. Thank you so much Pam, Jim, Faye and Keith! I anxiously await our next Cape Cod Bird Nerd walk!

Our List: (double click photos in gallery below to enlarge)

Gray Catbird

Double-crested Cormorant

Fish Crow

Mute Swan

Red-winged Blackbird

American Goldfinch

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Towhee

Belted Kingfisher

Ring-billed Gull

Laughing Gull