Bird News from Nahanton Park and Other Musings

Woodcocks Here!

2012-03-04T19:13:00.000-05:00

Brian told me he had heard that woodcocks have been seen in Massachusetts, so I had to check it out this evening. And there they were!

I arrived at 5:30 and about 5:50 I heard the first peent. Then there was a flurry of flying all around me. Afterward it seemed to die down quickly until I finally realized they had moved to a different part of the meadow. They kept changing locations, but it was so much fun to hear and see them perform their dance.

Below is short video…(mostly auditory, but one flies by)

On Saturday, I had the shock of my life as I headed from the parking lot to the lower gardens. Sometime between last Sunday and this Saturday, half of the lower garden area had been completely cleared! I'm assuming these will be Newton Community Garden plots run by the City. I'm glad the City was organized this year and that it was taken care of before nesting season.

Otherwise, in addition to our regulars, it seems some red winged blackbirds have arrived.

P.S. I've added a new blog to our bloglist. Susan A., who used to be on the board of the Newton Conservators, moved to Long Island a few years ago. She now has a new blog called The Tangled Wood. I think you will enjoy reading her thoughts on nature as she untangles and restores a wooded area near her home.

Skulker Seen and New Nest Boxes!

2012-02-26T10:11:00.000-05:00

Skulker (our hermit thrush)

Having returned from 5 days on Longboat Key, Florida it was a rude awakening to arrive at the park! Having experienced temps of 80's, lots of sun and the most beautiful birds, I was at Nahanton, freezing (28 degrees) and desperately looking for signs of life!

Mocker

I was greeted by a flock of juncos in the parking lot and a couple of song sparrows. Finally saw a couple of chickadees and heard a nuthatch and some titmice down near the soccer field as well as this mockingbird pictured to right.

Not one duck in the river (who could blame them). Finally saw some robins and a goldfinch in the scrub near the picnic tables. As I was leaving to walk the path by the river, I saw a lone tree sparrow foraging with the juncos. Were they the same juncos I had seen earlier or a different flock? I was happy to see the tree sparrow as I haven't seen one in several weeks.

American Tree Sparrow

No signs of life in the upper gardens, which for me has been true much of the winter. The lower gardens have been a little more fruitful. We had the starlings that have been here for a while, some robins and the house finch family.

As I was staring into the brush, I suddenly saw the hermit thrush (pictured top, left) that I believe Matt had seen a while ago. I was so surprised when he reported it that we would still have a hermit thrush deep into the winter, but there he/she was, skulking in some shrubbery. Totally made my day!

Later I met Brian and Phillip at the park. Brian installed a Great Crested flycatcher nest box and two bluebird boxes. Check out the Nahanton Park Facebook posting as well. We're very grateful for the time and energy Brian and Phillip have spent installing nest boxes each year and also maintaining and cleaning them out each spring. Thank you!!

Almost to March...

2012-02-19T10:50:00.003-05:00

32 degrees and sunny today at about 8:00 a.m. I was hoping to the the hoodies so I headed towards the river. I could hear a red-bellied woodpecker in the woods near the JCC. The path by the soccer field was filled with chickadees darting back and forth and hanging upside down. I could hear the Peter, Peter, Peter of the titmice and I saw a nuthatch high up in a tree calling sharply as it scoured the bark looking for something good to eat. Lots of geese flying overhead.

House Finch

A few juncos were hanging out in the shrubbery across from the Nature Center where the sun was warming them up. On the dock, I spotted my hoodies (mergansers). There was just one couple - too far away to photograph. As I headed down the path, I eventually came to a mallard couple and decided I need a lot more practice learning about the video on my camera. I still haven't got it down yet so excuse the poor quality.

The upper gardens were dead quiet. I did see raptor flying overhead. It caught my attention because of the shape of the wings. They were much curvier and thinner in flight then the red tail, and I got a decent view of the head. However, I have no idea what it was and coincidentally, as I was leaving the park, a red tail appeared in the sky above my car and it confirmed for me how different the two were.

The lower gardens were quiet too. The robins and starlings were hanging out like last week, each flock filling up a large tree. I finally heard a goldfinch and a cardinal and then discovered a house finch couple in a shrub quietly basking in the sun and eating red berries. It seems a little strange - no blue jays, no song sparrows, no tree sparrows, no white throated sparrows.

16 Degrees and Climbing?

2012-02-12T09:50:00.001-05:00

Cold Junco!

It was a very cold 16 degrees when I arrived at 7:10 a.m. I was hoping to see some ducks so I headed down there first. As I headed down the driveway towards the soccer field I heard the plaintiff call of a mourning dove. It sounded so sad, which was sort of how I was feeling considering I finally had a free morning to go birdwatching and it was so damn cold!

Saw a large flock of juncos, some of them looking pretty cold and puffed up! A lone mallard couple was visible in the river.

Robin in the sun

As I walked all around the park, surprisingly, despite the cold, I either heard or saw many of our regulars, but it wasn't until I got to the lower gardens and the sun started shining more brightly, that there was quite a lot of action. All of a sudden, a tree filled up with about 16 robins. When I looked again, they had been replaced by 6-7 starlings. Chickadees started zipping around and all of a sudden two male cardinals were flying back and forth looking unbelievably bright red in the sun.

Song sparrows foraged on the ground under the big tree in the middle of the gardens and then the robins reappeared as a roving gang near the bird houses (golf course side), combing the ground, turning over all the leaves in their path. A lone titmouse appeared and joined them. I heard goldfinches flying overhead but couldn't see them. The mourning dove appeared and basked in the sun but flew away when I tried to take its picture. A mockingbird shrieked.

Mary Lou suddenly appeared and asked if I had seen the golden crowned kinglet. Well, that was exactly what I had been hoping to see, with no luck. She showed me the scrub where she had seen it and sure enough it reappeared and we got a great look at its brilliant golden crown. And by the time I left, it had climbed to a whopping 21 degrees!

Postscript: Mary Lou just emailed me. She saw a female Belted kingfisher down by the river!

Our Sister Blog

2012-02-10T20:10:00.002-05:00

Wild Newton Blog

Please join me in congratulating one of our contributors, Matt B., on his beautiful new blog "Wild Newton". He resurrected a blog that inspired many of us, called "Newton Birding" created by Scott R. We were very sad when Scott was out of the country for a year and we couldn't read his posts or view his excellent photography. However, he will be joining Matt as a contributor and I can't wait to read about their sightings.

Wild Newton will be our sister blog and will include any and all areas of Newton. Click on the image, or Wild Newton to view. We also have a link under our "Websites and Blogs of Interest" category.

8 Miles of Birding

2012-02-05T15:23:00.000-05:00

I had a good chunk of a day and wanted to do a lot of local birding so I broke out my Newton Conservators Trail Guide to see what I could find. Looking at the map of Newton, the biggest stretch of green space quickly jumps out at you. Nahanton Park in Newton, Helen Heyn Riverway of Newton, Cutler Park in Needham, Millenium Park and Brooks Farm of West Roxbury. So I decided to make a hiking loop. Check out the Newton Conservators' website for maps of these areas.

I arrived at Nahanton at 9am and the day still had quite a chill to it. I was thinking that I had a ways to walk so I wouldn't spend too much time in this favorite haunt, but was quickly sidetracked in the lower gardens. Many of our usual friends were there but I kept seeing this sulker flush from the brush and fly to the opposite side. This bird had this warm reddish brown hue to it that made me think of a female cardinal, a fox sparrow, and hermit thrush. So I kept passing around the gardens, now actively trying to find this one elusive bird. I moved slower, carefully peering into the deep brush surrounding the gardens before a brief glimpse of an eye ring. Eventually our friend was curious about me and he came out from cover a little more. When I saw his brown head and back, spotted breast, and the rufous tail. The game was up: a hermit thrush! My first of Massachusetts.

Now I really was behind schedule so I tried to pick up the pace as I took the path down to the river for a few geese and mallards (still no luck with the mergansers) and a quick and quite stroll around woodcock meadow.

At this point my fingers were quite cold as I walked to Nahanton St and crossed the river leaving Nahanton park behind. The middle section of this story will continue on our new blog "wild newton" designed to be a newton wide companion to nahanton park bird news.

Visit Wild Newton

When I finally crossed back into Nahanton park from the Helen Hyen Riverway I was quite behind schedule and didn't plan on stopping to bird at all. By the Nature Center tons of robins were flitting about then I passed onto the little trail that abuts the vernal pool and the fields. Just before the driveway the bird chatter picked up. It turned out to be two fearless Golden-crowned Kinglets, certainly the bird of the day, working the brush in an energetic chickadee like manner all the while flashing those golden crowns. What a way to end this adventure.

Our Regulars

2012-01-29T10:16:00.003-05:00

Chickadee

It was cold this morning - a little colder than I thought it would be. 33 degrees, clear and sunny.

The upper and lower gardens were so quiet. I only managed to see a few song sparrows and a robin. Heard a chickadee calling.

The soccer field and pond area were quiet too. Heard a goldfinch and a titmouse, but never saw them. Only some robins and song sparrows hopping around in the leaves.

Most of the action seemed to be in and around the river area. From the dock, I saw four hooded mergansers - 3 males and a female hanging around on the opposite side near the edge of the river. They were beautiful. Geese and mallards were flying low, up and down the river. I guess their breeding season is almost upon us.

Lots of chickadees, juncos and a male cardinal hanging out together near the picnic tables. Saw one American Tree sparrow.

A Walk in the Park

2012-01-08T08:47:00.004-05:00

Tree Fungus

34 degrees at 7:00 a.m. A little colder than I thought it was going to be, but not bad.

The park has been awfully quiet. The lower gardens had, dare I say it, some house sparrows I believe. I hate seeing them at the park. Also saw some song sparrows, juncos, and a mockingbird. I could hear goldfinches, titmice, chickadees and a cardinal, but never caught a glimpse of them.

I cut through the upper gardens and down to the river. Saw only a single robin and a woodpecker drilling. I thought I saw some ducks on the other side of the bridge, so I crossed Nahanton St. and hung out on the bridge for a while. There were six common mergansers. One of them had a fish in its beak and kept dropping it and picking it up again. I was surprised at the size of the fish. It seemed rather large to swallow. Also saw about a dozen mallards on some ice near the edge of the river. Eventually, they joined the mergansers and they all disappeared upstream.

A Quiet New Year

2012-01-02T15:36:00.006-05:00

I wanted to enjoy the unseasonable warmth and bright sun on New Years Day and thought I'd get in some birding. Inspired by the posting about the CBC Screech Owls in Kennard Park, and my own recent Great Horned Owl in Houghton Garden, I wanted to try birding Nahanton in the late afternoon and dusk hoping that I might find owls. I arrived a little later than I planed as I was side-tracked at the end of my birding walk at Castle Island by a the surprise appearance of a harbor seal. But at 3:30 I was back in the familiar territory of the lower gardens of Nahanton and this is where I found most of the avian activity for new years day. Canada geese streamed over head, honking raucously; and flying north? A female Cardinal declared herself with her sharp "chink" call notes, while a Mockingbird acrobatically navigated among the tangle of shrubs and vines. A small flock of Juncos twittered around the garden, fully earning their name as the "winter chippy", trying to stay a few feet ahead of two young kids enjoying a hike. I was very excited when I found two American Tree Sparrows (picture) keeping company with the Song Sparrows, as I thought a New Year birding trip must include this winter favorite. Down at the river I was able to discern the distant dry rattle of a Belted Kingfisher, making me wish he had decided to fly a little nearer. A Downy could be made out in the distant tree tops and the occasional "ang ang" was the only sign of the White-Breasted Nuthatch. I sat up in Woodcock Meadow nearer to dusk watching robins stream south across Nahanton St. to their evening roost. Dusk was now fully upon the park (picture) and the wing-whir gave away a passing Mourning Dove as I sat straining my ears hoping for the low hoot of an owl. So far none of our feathered friends had provided any calls consistently or loud enough to record. When dusk was fully past, I turned my binoculars strait up to peer through the high hazy clouds at the moon and stars; even Jupiter's moons were visible as discrete pin pricks. I slowly began to give up on the owls, and made my way back across the soccer field and up the the gardens, without a Great Horned Owl's low hoot or a Screech Owl's eerie whinny. It may have been the end of the day, but it is just the begining, the start of a new year. And who knows what this year might bring to Nahanton Park.

Very Quiet at Park. Luckily, Had Some Turkey Fun!

2011-12-26T09:23:00.001-05:00

It was 34 degrees at about 8:00 a.m. The meadow has now been mowed, but the park was very quiet today. All I saw were some robins, a cardinal couple, a few song sparrows, a junco, some geese flying and a seagull.

Therefore, I decided to pursue a new interest - a flock of wild turkeys that has been roosting in the trees on a street nearby. Since I recently saw the movie on Channel 2 "My Life As a Turkey" ( a documentary about Joe Hutto, a naturalist who raised a flock of 16 wild turkeys from egg to adulthood), I've been more and more curious about this local flock.

After leaving the park, I knew they would have left their roosts and wondered where they go during the day. Today, I discovered them in a Rachel Road resident's side yard. Here is a very short video of the turkeys.

Christmas Bird Count

2011-12-18T14:47:00.000-05:00

Richard, Haynes and Greg

Today was the Christmas Bird Count.!

We met at Chris' house at 7:00 a.m. Some of the group had already gone owling and had seen screech owls at Kennard Park. It always sounds so exciting, but I can't get myself up and out by 5:00 a.m. on these dark, freezing cold mornings. Some day, I'll get it together…

After coffee and delicious coffee cake, the birders broke into several groups and covered specific areas. I was in a group with Haynes, Richard and Greg.

Red-tail Hawk

It was only in the 20's but we held out for four hours of birding. We covered Kennard Park, Newton South, Hammond Pond and Houghton Gardens. We had a great time! I won't list all the birds we saw today because most of them were our regulars. However, we did see a nice red-tail hawk at Newton South, huddled in a tree. In fact several of the birds looked awfully cold - all puffed up and hanging out in trees and shrubs.

I would say our most exciting moment was when we arrived at Hammond Pond. I think it was Greg who spotted a blue heron. It turned out there were three of them! We also saw several hooded mergansers looking absolutely spectacular as well as a ring-necked duck and some gulls. We had seen one of the herons fly off and we discovered it later as we walked around the pond. It was looking very chilly on a tree branch. For us humans, the winds across the pond were almost unbearable. The woods were much more tolerable.

Chilly Blue Heron

In the Houghton Gardens area, we were pleased to see two hairy woodpeckers. Deeper in, Haynes pointed out a golden crowned kinglet flitting about and then a brown creeper that we were fortunate enough to have several good sightings of.

As we were leaving, I was happy to see all three herons together. Whether you're a bird or a birder, it's nice to have friends to hang out with on a day as cold as this.

Gardening Season Officially Over

2011-12-04T17:33:00.001-05:00

This friendly pumpkin was left
on a rock to greet people?

Arrived at the park around 8:15 a.m. It was 32 degrees and clear. Right away, I noticed that the gate to the gardens was closed and locked, marking the official end to the community gardening season.

The meadow has not been mowed as it usually is in November, even though we were informed it would be. Perhaps they are just late. I'm sure the birds are happy about the delay.

It was a pretty quiet day in general. Everything was covered in frost but slowly started melting as I walked around. I saw several house finches, juncos, goldfinches, robins, a few white throated sparrows, and some tree sparrows as well as a few chickadees.

Down by the river I saw two mallard couples reminding me that ducks can be really fun to watch for soon.

Got word today that the Christmas Bird Count will be December 18th. Stay tuned for more details.

Last Flowers Standing

2011-11-27T08:59:00.001-05:00

Tansy

Weekend Update: Saturday was 47 degrees and Sunday, a cooler 33 degrees.

It's pretty quiet at the park. The most active area seems to be the lower part of the upper gardens near the meadow.

Between Saturday and Sunday, I saw house finches, song sparrows, robins, white throated sparrows, my first American tree sparrows of the season, lots of goldfinches, cardinals, tufted titmice, chickadees and a blue jay. Also, had a nice but brief sighting of a cedar waxwing couple in the Mulberry tree.

Some Nice Surprises!

2011-11-20T10:15:00.001-05:00

Bluebird Male

Bluebird Female

It was 50 degrees this morning! Not bad for November. Very pleasant and sunny.

The woods at the parking lot looked dramatically different today. They looked like they were all cleared out! It took me a minute or two to realize that all the leaves had fallen off the oak trees and now you could see right through.

The lower gardens were very quiet so headed to the upper gardens.

A flock of goldfinches flew out of the artemesia in the meadow as I headed up. There were several song sparrows, and some house finches and then I saw something blue. I only caught a glimpse of it, but I was sure it was a bluebird and then it disappeared. I couldn't have been happier, when 5-10 minutes later, it appeared on top of the favorite purple bird house along with two females. I have to think these are our bluebirds. It makes me feel better. Saw a few juncos, but literally only a few. A brilliant red cardinal appeared and a female downy in the woods at the back of the gardens as well as a few robins.

Hermit Thrush

Then Mary Lou appeared! She saw a hermit thrush, which of course I missed. However, as we headed around the path, she spotted the same or another hermit thrush in the leaves on the ground with a beautiful fox sparrow and a couple of white throated sparrows. We followed them into the woods and got to watch them for quite a while. They were like a little gang, going everywhere together.

Hermit Thrush Eating Berry

We walked down to the pond seeing virtually nothing, but when I turned around to head back I saw yet another? hermit thrush having a field day with some bittersweet. Did we see one, two, or three hermit thrushes today? We'll never know...

In Transition

2011-11-13T08:43:00.001-05:00

Wild Grasses

It was chilly out, but not as cold as it could be, so I was grateful.

Before I even got started, something made me want to check the Bird Register. I was really excited to see that birdwatchers, Scott and Aviva are back from Israel! Scott was the first one I knew about in Newton to start a birding blog and I've missed his sightings and writings! Welcome back you guys! Hope you had a great time and can't wait to hear about the birds you saw.

Many leaves are off the trees. The maples that are left are a beautiful orange and the oaks are their usual dreary brown with the leaves still clinging. Most of the vegetables and flowers are dead making things look a little sad and lonely.

Goldfinch

The upper and lower gardens were pretty quiet except for our regulars. I saw lots of juncos, song sparrows, a few white throated sparrows and a few robins. The evening primroses are still proving to be a great attraction for the goldfinches which are now all sporting their winter coats.

As I was about to head home, I noticed that it was quite sunny down near the soccer field. If I was a bird, I guess that's where I'd be, so I headed down there.

Downy Male

It turned out to be a hotbed of activity. It was sort of a mixed flock of upper garden birds i.e., goldfinches, juncos, white throated sparrows and song sparrows with the addition of a red bellied woodpecker, a downy, cardinals and nuthatches. Nothing out of the ordinary, but it was so fun to see them hanging out together.

Last Saturday of October

2011-10-29T17:48:00.002-04:00

Young Swamp Sparrow?

Well, it's definitely getting chilly now. It was about 36 degrees and clear at 8:00 a.m.

Arrived and saw that Mary Lou was there. Before I headed to the upper gardens, I checked out the path that cuts through the edge of the meadow. There have been lots of birds hanging out as they fly back and forth from the shrubs to the artemesia.

Chipper

Was immediately greeted by a really cute yellow rump. This is the second one that has let me watch it very close up for quite a long time. Lots of song sparrows and juncos.

Mary Lou was on her way down when we met and we ended up going to the upper gardens together. It was filled with sparrows. We saw chipping sparrows, swamp sparrows, song sparrows and white throated sparrows. We did not see any white crowned or savannah sparrows. Also saw a female cowbird, a cardinal couple, more juncos and some goldfinches.

Palm Warbler

White Throated Sparrow

Mary Lou headed to the lower gardens which she had not yet explored and I stayed a little longer. I'm so glad I did, because finally, I saw my palm warbler - not one, but two! They flew up from the meadow into a tree right in front of me and hung out there long enough for me to get a good look at them. Now, I feel like my fall is complete.

In a few more weeks our tree sparrows should be arriving and then we know that winter is on its way!

Yellow Rump Encounter

2011-10-23T19:04:00.001-04:00

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Look at this cute little yellow rump. I encountered him/her shortly after I arrived, on the mulberry tree at the base of the path to the upper gardens.

It's not every day that they sit relatively still, but this one seemed to be enjoying the sun. I love the way it turned away from the camera, saying "O.K. - if you must. Take a picture and make sure you include my pretty yellow feathers.

I hadn't been at the park very long, when Haynes, and then Ian showed up. The upper gardens seems to be the place to start at this time of year. It was cool this morning - 41 degrees, and sunny.

We were greeted by several white throated and song sparrows in the little shrub at the top of the path. The meadow was filled with birds, but it's difficult to know exactly who's in there until they land on top of the artemisia.

White Throated Sparrow

In the upper gardens we encountered several savannah sparrows, house finches, a swamp sparrow, a chipping sparrow, goldfinches, cardinals, chickadees, a nuthatch and two or three great views of the indigo bunting. In the oak trees at the back of the garden we had brief but good sightings of a couple of blue headed vireos and a golden crowned kinglet.

We checked out the soccer field area hoping for more golden crowned kinglets, but mostly saw juncos and chickadees. A shortcut through the woods turned up some titmice. It's sad to think the fall migration will be coming to an end soon.

Pete Gilmore Bird Walk

2011-10-22T19:03:00.003-04:00

Birdwatching Group

50's and clear this morning, but not windy. A great day for a walk with Pete.

Haynes, Jane and I happened to arrive at the Winchester St. entrance at the same time and a bit early, so we walked around the lower gardens, but it was very quiet. We headed down to the river and as we passed the pond, Haynes and Jane spotted a hermit thrush down on a low branch - very difficult to see when it dropped to the ground.

Wild Turkeys

At the river entrance, the group was forming - at least 12 people in all. We started by going down to the dock where Matt saw a pied billed grebe that dove under the water. Very exciting!

As we walked the path adjacent to the soccer field, some of us saw several chickadees high up in the oaks and others in the group saw a couple of golden crowned kinglets. There was much activity at the meadow and at the edge of the woods behind it. We saw a female yellow throat, several white throated sparrows, song sparrows and a very dull yellow rumped warbler. Someone saw wood ducks flying overhead.

The Scout

The lower gardens were fairly quiet. We saw several house finches, an Eastern phoebe, cardinals, a fleeting look at a palm warbler and another thrush! There was much discussion during and after about whether this was a wood thrush or a gray cheeked thrush. Not sure if it will ever be agreed upon… As we were examining the meadow again, a troupe of wild turkeys arrived near the parking lot. They foraged a bit and then headed into the woods, single file. Pete pictures them as little old ladies with pocketbooks under their wings, on a group shopping expedition!

As we headed to the upper gardens, we had several sightings of this funny little house finch. It looked young because it's red coloring was quite blotchy, it was very puffy and it didn't seem terribly afraid of our group.

The upper gardens were in sun and that made the birds more active. We saw an enormous flock of cormorants high in the sky in formation, migrating. With two mathematicians in our midst, it was estimated that there were between 128 and 150 birds. Power of 2!

Young House Finch?

Savannah sparrows have now arrived and some of them were quite bright with their yellow eyebrows. The goldfinches were active and vocal and juncos were twittering and flittering. A beautiful swamp sparrow was seen foraging in one of the gardens and chipping sparrows were seen.

Cormorants Migrating

We were all hoping to see a blue grosbeak that Pete had seen earlier in the week but it was not to be. However, we did have yet another sighting of the indigo bunting which was very nice. Had a nice view of another yellow-rumped warbler, only this one was very bright, looking like it was almost still in it's breeding plumage. It's yellow patch under the wing and tail was vibrant.

As the walk was winding down, we took one more look near the lower gardens and saw a red-eyed vireo and a mockingbird. I had to leave, but the last few people, Haynes, Jane, Pete and Matt took another pass at the lower gardens. If there is anything to report, it will be in the comments area.

Brookline Bird Club Walk with Linda Ferraresso

2011-10-15T18:31:00.002-04:00

King Stag

It was in the mid 50's when I arrived at 7:30 and overcast. Haynes pulled up beside me in the parking lot. Mary Lou was there too and already exploring. We saw some white throated sparrows, juncos and song sparrows, but it was relatively quiet.

As we turned the corner in the lower gardens and looked in the brush towards the golf course, we saw this beautiful stag with his large antlers. I've seen does and fawns and possibly young/spring males, but I never saw saw a creature like this at Nahanton. His fur was quite gray and he was very regal, laying in the grass. I decided he will be known as "King Stag". He got up and calmly walked away.

Before we knew it, it was 8:00 and several people started arriving for Linda's walk. At last count, there were at least 14 or 15 people - a great turnout! I was happy to see my friend from work, Winnie decided to get up early and drive in from Braintree.

Group Intro

Linda warned us that the sparrows may be laying low today because of the wind and it seemed to be the case. The warblers were also in short supply, but we still managed to see a wide variety of birds.

Between the upper and lower gardens we saw more white throated sparrows, a mockingbird, song sparrows, chipping sparrows, a pine warbler, house finches, cardinals, chickadees, kinglets and goldfinches.

Looking for sparrows

Flying overhead we saw Canadian geese, herring gulls, red tailed hawks and a Coopers hawk as well as the grackles that are gathering together now.

I had to leave a little early, so there may be additional sightings that I'm unable to report.

There's another walk next Saturday, with Pete Gilmore. Hope you will join us! Check out Nahanton Park to find out more about it.

Another Great Day!

2011-10-10T19:12:00.001-04:00

Birders Examine Warbler Alley

Couldn't stay away. I was dying to know if any new birds blew in overnight...

When I arrived at the park, Robin was getting her gear out of the car. I met Robin at a walk at Forest Hills a few years ago. We started in the lower gardens and though very quiet, we saw a vireo (she thought blue headed) as well as a female common yellow throat. Then, Dana appeared and together we headed to the upper gardens where we eventually ran into Mary Lou!

We pretty much saw what we've been seeing all weekend, minus the yellow rumps who seemed to have moved on (unless they were somewhere else at the park). Had wonderful sightings of the white crowned sparrow (adult and juvenile), indigo buntings (one with a beautiful blue tail), swamp sparrows, Lincoln sparrow, chipping sparrows, white-throated sparrows, a kinglet, parulas and a black poll.

Yellow Rumps Passing Through!

2011-10-09T20:32:00.003-04:00

Yellow Rumped Warbler

After yesterday, I had to get back over to see who would be there today! 53 degrees, clear and comfortable.

I was very excited to see some yellow rumps seemed to have arrived overnight in the lower gardens as well as the upper gardens. I discovered that, in addition to the sparrows, they are big fans of the artemesia seeds in the meadow.

Cowbird

I saw a pine warbler/black poll on the path to the upper gardens (I wouldn't dare say one way or the other unless I had someone more experienced with me), although I suspect it was a pine warbler. Also, a kinglet was flitting about high up in the canopy of a tall tree.

Junco

I really wanted to study the sparrows in the upper gardens. Plenty of song sparrows, and several white throated sparrows. Had a really nice, close encounter with the Lincoln sparrow. I was so close that I could finally, clearly see what everyone had been explaining to me for two years now - the buffy breast with the fine striations that make it different from the song sparrow. I may have seen some swamp sparrows, but wasn't 100% sure.

Common Yellowthroat

I couldn't stay very long so and as I headed down, I discovered several birds hanging out in the mulberry tree. There was a cowbird couple hanging out together for quite some time. Yellow rumps were flitting from the tree to the meadow. A male house finch was sunning himself at the very top, while a junco posed on a branch and surveyed the area. A common yellowthroat showed me a bit of his mask as I took his picture.

There will be a walk with the Brookline Bird Club next Saturday, 8:00 a.m. at the Nahanton Street entrance with Linda Ferraresso. Hope to see you there! Check out our listings on the Nahanton Park website: www.nahantonpark.org.

Migration in Full Swing!

2011-10-08T18:43:00.001-04:00

Haynes and Ian

It was 47 degrees and clear when I arrived at the park at 7:15 a.m.

Mary Lou emailed me this week. She saw the yellow-billed cuckoo in the upper gardens. I was hoping I might see it today, but no such luck.

I started around the lower gardens, which was awfully quiet. Finally caught a glimpse of a chickadee, some song sparrows, a mockingbird and some robins. I did see some warbler activity in the oaks bordering the golf course, but they were so far away and active, that I couldn't identify. I decided to try the upper gardens when I heard some twittering and couldn't quite place it. I looked up and saw a couple of juncos! It seemed rather early. It's funny how exciting it is when you first see them.

Thankfully, Ian showed up. Its so nice to have an extra set of eyes. Together we saw two catbirds, house finches, a Lincoln sparrow and then some warblers, one of which was a ruby-crowned kinglet.

White Crowned Sparrow

As we approached the upper gardens we saw more warblers and were trying to identify them when Haynes appeared and then a very nice woman, Judy. Between the four of us (in addition to the birds previously mentioned) we saw: female parulas, kinglets, white throated sparrows, a Lincoln sparrow, white crowned sparrows, swamp sparrows, chipping sparrows, a palm warbler, a Nashville warbler, goldfinches, an Eastern phoebe, nuthatch, titmice, crows, jays, common yellowthroat, pine warbler, cardinals, an indigo buntings.

Can't wait to see what the rest of the weekend brings!

Fall birding like it's supposed to be

2011-10-06T20:53:00.003-04:00

Beautiful morning in the Park!

Canada Goose 11

Ring-billed Gull 1

Mourning Dove 3

Downy Woodpecker 2

Eastern Phoebe 2

Blue Jay 4

Black-capped Chickadee 2

Tufted Titmouse 2

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1

American Robin 35

Gray Catbird 1

Nashville Warbler 3

Common Yellowthroat 1

Northern Parula 2 Upper gardens. Definitely different birds. Possibly a third

Blackpoll Warbler 2

Palm Warbler 1

Chipping Sparrow 20

Song Sparrow 15

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 lower garden, with WCSP

White-throated Sparrow 8

White-crowned Sparrow 4 2 ad, 2 juv, seen simultaneously in lower garden

Northern Cardinal 3

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 young male, behind upper garden

Common Grackle 5

House Finch 9

American Goldfinch 8

2011-10-02T11:34:00.002-04:00

Turns out that Ian and Jane showed up yesterday, ready to walk in the rain. Sorry, guys! Ian was at the park again today, along with Suzette and Marie. The rain stopped promptly at 8:00 and we had a dry hour and forty minute walk. Not huge diversity, but quite a few birds. I have a photo in my camera but I can't locate the firewire!

Canada Goose 12

Great Blue Heron 1

Red-tailed Hawk 1

Ring-billed Gull 6

Mourning Dove 3

Downy Woodpecker 3

Blue Jay 3

American Crow 3

Black-capped Chickadee 4

Tufted Titmouse 8

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

House Wren 1

American Robin 40

Gray Catbird 3

Northern Mockingbird 3

European Starling 4

Blackpoll Warbler 1

Chipping Sparrow 15

Song Sparrow 20

White-throated Sparrow 1

Northern Cardinal 6

Indigo Bunting 1 F

Red-winged Blackbird 8

Common Grackle 300 several large loose flocks

American Goldfinch 16

Friday Sapsucker, Saturday Rain, Sunday ???

2011-10-01T16:39:00.002-04:00

The Friends of Nahanton Park/Newton Conservators walk was scrubbed this morning on account of rain. Sunday morning is the rain date!

Friday, Sept 30: a nice morning, not much variety but a lot of sparrows. And I think this is the first time I've recorded Yellow-bellied Sapsucker from Nahanton Park.

Ring-billed Gull 1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 briefly, over raspberry patch

Blue Jay 3

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

American Robin 12

Gray Catbird 3

Northern Mockingbird 3

European Starling 30 flocks of 10

Common Yellowthroat 1

Chipping Sparrow 30

Song Sparrow 30

Swamp Sparrow 1

Northern Cardinal 3

House Finch 3

American Goldfinch 2

House Sparrow 4

Weekend Update

2011-09-25T21:17:00.004-04:00

Dahlia

Warm and overcast at the park this morning at 8:00 a.m.

Started in the lower gardens where it seemed awfully quiet. As I walked around the path clockwise I came to the area near the golf course and saw something flash in a shrub nearby. It was a Wilson's warbler! Very beautiful. Then as I continued on, I ran into Haynes who had come up from the Nahanton Street entrance. We saw a female common yellowthroat and though I missed it, he also saw a Nashville. Otherwise, it was robins, catbirds, mockingbirds, song sparrows and goldfinches, many of whom have molted into their winter colors. There were some other birders too, from the Brookline Bird Club.

The upper gardens were pretty quiet. We saw several chipping sparrows, cardinals, a male redstart and a couple of phoebes.

Haynes will be leading a walk next weekend on Saturday, October 1st at 8:00 a.m. (raindate October 2nd) at the Nahanton Street entrance. Check it out for more details on the Friends of Nahanton Park website.

Weekend Update

2011-09-18T10:01:00.002-04:00

Yellow Warbler Female

This weekend was on the cool side. Saturday was 48 degrees and today was 53 degrees but they both turned out to be quite pleasant in the end.

The lower gardens haven't been terribly productive for warbler watching so I've been concentrating on what I'm now calling "Warblerville" in the upper gardens. It's the spot behind the bent over birch tree in the back and this is where I've been seeing most of the warblers.

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Yesterday, I saw between 3-4 different warblers. I believe the one above was a female yellow warbler - no sign of a male. At first, I had thought it was a Wilsons - it was so bright and yellow, but no sign of a cap. After consulting with Haynes, I believe one of the other warblers I saw was a ruby-crowned kinglet, which I saw again today and got a good, close look at it. It was so very tiny, that I am certain about the ID (see pic at right). I saw some others (one that I was desperately hoping was a chestnut sided), but just couldn't get a good enough look at them to positively identify.

Today, I had all but given up, when I saw a beautiful male parula (very bright) on the bent over birch tree. All of a sudden, it seemed there were warblers everywhere, but they were zipping about so quickly, it was hard to see who was what! As I thought I saw another parula, I got my binoculars on the bird in the depths of a shrub and to my surprise, it was an American redstart! The tail was very distinctive. As I mentioned above, I had a great, close encounter with the kinglet and then saw something in an oak tree that I thought might be a female yellow rump or possibly a pine warbler? It had the soft brown striations on the side, a whitish breast and some yellow on the sides under the wings, but I couldn't get a look at the tail, so I can't confirm.

Other than that, it was our good old, reliable friends: catbirds, robins, goldfinches, wrens, titmice, cardinals, chickadees, song sparrows and blue jays.

The wild asters are just coming into bloom and the gardens, even though they are close to the end of their season, look beautiful. The cool temperatures give the flowers a much deeper and rich color. Some of the dahlias in the upper gardens are unbelievably spectacular.

A Grosbeak Moment...

2011-09-10T10:10:00.002-04:00

Juvy Red Breasted Grosbeak

It was 59 degrees at 7:00 a.m. and a beautiful blue sky. Cool and pleasant.

I was greeted by a hoard of excited chickadees this morning in an oak tree near the parking lot. Then worked my way around the lower gardens.

I saw some song sparrows, robins, goldfinches, a flicker, catbirds, mockingbirds, a cardinal family with young and a hummer that whizzed by. Then, I saw a warblerish bird high up in the oaks to the left of the bluebird houses. It had an olivey green back and a white underbelly with some subtle striations on the side. Couldn't identify it. Suddenly, there was movement in a shrub right in front of me. I caught a glimpse of some deep gray and bright yellow. I was thinking parula or nahsville, but just couldn't see it long enough. I became super frustrated at my lack of knowledge and identification skills and was desperately wishing that Haynes or Ian would appear.

Grosbeak Female

As I was walking to the upper gardens I saw more warblerish birds. One had black and white stripes on his head and at first I thought black and white, then black poll and then back to black and white. There was some other warblerish bird to the right but it flew ahead and who was behind me, but Haynes!!! I was so happy to have another set of eyes with more experience than mine!

The black and white was confirmed. We saw our usual pals including a very baby mockingbird that looked like it was almost fresh out of a nest. We saw a juvenile waxwing and I believe Haynes saw some adults. There were song sparrows, goldfinches, house finches, titmice and house wrens. As we ducked in to the scrubby area near the bent over birch tree, we had a great viewing of a parula. We also viewed several of the warblers I described in the lower gardens high up in the oak trees at the back of the upper gardens with the olive green back. Haynes identified them as parulas as well - maybe females?

We encountered a mystery bird happily eating from someones garden and acting very much like a goldfinch but it didn't quite look like a goldfinch. We stared at it for some time and went over and over what it could be (possibly a young one?). It was yellow with some black on the wings and a little bit of white in the wing area but not nearly as crisp as a goldfinch (even a molting one). Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture but we are discussing the possibility of whether it could have been a lesser goldfinch which apparently would be quite unusual for this area.

Our grosbeak moment happened as we were looking for warblers when Haynes spotted a juvenile male rose-breasted grosbeak (whose breast was really more like robin orange at this point) hanging out quietly on a nearby branch. It turned out there was more than one nearby and all of a sudden at least three of them were in low shrubs right in front of us - a female, a male and a juvenile male and possibly a juvenile female. My pictures don't do them justice but what can you do…

In the pond we were surprised to see a kingfisher! That was a first for me in that spot. Saw a garter snake up in Woodcock meadow and lots of phoebes down by the soccer field as well as a red-eyed vireo high up in a tree.

Black Throated Green Warbler!

2011-09-04T09:02:00.001-04:00

Black Throated Green Warbler

A nice warm morning - a little humid and lots of mosquitos. Immediately heard the peewee from the woods behind the JCC.

Went straight down to the pond in hopes of spotting a heron before the joggers tromped through at 7:00 a.m., but no such luck.

Then headed through the woods to the upper gardens. There were tons of robins and some catbirds and mockingbirds - many with their late season young. Also managed to see a beautiful orangey-yellow oriole that may have been a female, but I suspect it was a young male. There were flicker families as well foraging on the ground and in the trees. Titmice were in a small tree flitting around and seagulls flew overhead.

Red Eyed Vireo

A hummingbird was actively pursuing nectar from any appropriate flowers. Strong presence of song sparrows. A house wren was perched on a trellis with a catbird and a robin. A fence had another group of characters - a chipmunk, a catbird and a song sparrow all surveying the area. I was excited to see a red-eyed vireo in the main mulberry tree and followed it to some scrub where it finally came out in the open and I was able to get a quick photo.

Meadow Spider

The highlight for me though was a black throated green warbler pictured above. It was very busy and far away, but it finally made it's way towards me and came down from a very high tree to a bush nearby.

As I peered into one of the gardens where I had seen some movement, I came across this beautiful meadow spider. They are absolutely stunning.

Pretty quiet out there...

2011-09-03T09:24:00.002-04:00

Common Yellowthroat Female

Today is a little more humid then yesterday and warmer as well, but still, a nice end of summer day. Back to school and the feel of Indian summer is in the air, even after all these years of being out!

Ian and I happened to arrive at the park around the same time, so we walked around together.

The lower gardens were extremely quiet. We saw some mourning doves, a chimney swift overhead, song sparrows, catbirds, goldfinches, mockingbirds and a single cedar waxwing. Some of the gardens are just beautiful with their zinnias, cosmos and sunflowers in bright colors cheering up everything around them. The vegetables are on the wan except for the cool weather crops like broccoli etc.

American Toad

In the upper gardens we saw robins, cardinals, blue jays, flickers, a young housewren and a beautiful common yellowthroat (pictured above) that we got to see several times.

Other than that we saw a wonderful toad or frog (picture at left) as we cut through the woods to the soccer field and a lone house finch in Woodcock meadow. The insects are sounding the call of fall and another summer is almost over.

Nahanton After Irene

2011-08-29T12:21:00.011-04:00

Red Tailed Hawk

After reading about all the rarities on MassBird and the eBird article on birds that might show up following the storm. I thought I might run down to Nahanton this morning (9am) to check out the damage and see what I could find. The cloudless blue sky was quite dazzling, with many more gulls circling over head than usual. But for the most part it was just our usual friends. There are a number of downed branches and the path to the pond is now blocked by a fallen tree so I only got faint glimpses there. But the most exciting birds this morning were the red-tailed hawks. A couple were circling over head, but one (juvenile?) was sitting in the middle of the upper garden while the gardener of the plot was working on the fence unaware of his audience!

Gardener Unaware of Large Visitor!

This hawk must have been pretty tired after the storm to tolerate people so close. I actually mistook him for a fake owl at first. Hope everyone fared well during the storm.

In Search of the Chestnut-sided Warbler

2011-08-21T09:18:00.009-04:00

Donna's Garden

O.K. I admit it. I really wish I had seen the Chestnut-sided warbler that Bev saw yesterday so I went back to the park this morning. Unfortunately, I never did see it.

I meant to mention yesterday, that the grapes are out and that should be attracting various birds.

Today, I will only mention what I didn't see yesterday which includes: a foraging deer, chimney swifts, three hummingbirds, a pair of red-bellied woodpeckers, cedar waxwings, mourning doves, house finches and a family of chipping sparrows.

We have some exciting fall birdwalks scheduled at the park and more to come. Check out the new listings at: www.nahantonpark.org

Mushroom Mania!

2011-08-20T20:14:00.007-04:00

It's been so rainy and moist the last week or two , that I guess it was no surprise to see lots of mushrooms today, but I was struck by their variety and beauty!

The lower gardens were unusually quiet today. All I managed to see were a myriad of very wet and sorry looking song sparrows, a blue jay, an oriole, robins and mockingbirds.

The upper gardens were a little more productive. I ran into Mary Lou and Tess, and eventually Bev. Mary Lou and I had some excellent sightings of female yellow throats, female yellow warbler and best of all a confirmed sighting of a Nashville warbler! A red-eyed vireo was heard but not seen. Otherwise it was mostly catbirds, female red-winged blackbirds, song sparrows, goldfinches, a house wren, cardinal and a peewee calling from the adjacent woods. Mary Lou introduced me to the "puffball" an amazing mushroom type fungus, that is basically a white ball shape with no stem that comes in a variety of sizes from small to very large! Apparently they are edible and quite tasty when sauteed in butter.

We were hoping to see the herons in the pond, but it was not meant to be. Down by the river were titmice and lots of chickadees as well as a flicker.

The meadow is beautiful right now with cosmos in white, pink and dark pink. Wouldn't it be great if they came back next year?

In Search of a Summer Song

2011-08-14T13:28:00.009-04:00

On Friday the 12th I arrived at Nahanton a little before 7am to find a song that would exemplify the summer at Nahanton. I was also hoping I might catch a night heron or sandpiper in the pond first. As soon as my car door opened, goldfinches flitted overhead, twittering while a Downy's rattle came from the woods followed by the plaintive "pee-a-wee" of the Wood-Pewee floated by. I made my way across the soccer field with a barn swallow for company and a Yellowthroat was sulking in the brush. Though the pond was empty I saw what looked like a small heron flying up into a tree. I circled around to get a better view while a Baltimore Orioles clear song was floating over the trees before I managed to find the heron silhouetted in the trees (picture) I kept circling so the sun wasn't behind it until it dissolved into the Green Heron, while not what I was looking for, a Heron in a tree is always an amusing sight. Just then a high thin "tee-see tee-see tee-see" came from just a few yards to the right of the heron and cued me into the Black-and-White Warbler scouring the tree branches for insects. I headed on my walk to find the river very quiet and just a few robins in woodcock meadow before heading into the woods. For a little while a robin and the mosquitoes were the only songs I heard before a "pee-a-wee" filtered through the woods. I managed to position my self right under one singing Pewee before it dawned on me the the Eastern Wood-Pewee was a perfect summer song! While the visual the Pewee can be a little drab gray bird with two wing-bars but with such a distinctive song where he tells us his own name "pee-a-wee" makes him a stalwart of the deciduous forest. Not to mention as a flycatcher, the Pewee is a superb flier. I continued my walk but it seemed at ever turn there was the Pewee song, or a Pewee sitting on an exposed branch, hawking flying insects by darting out and after some mid-air acrobatics returning to the previous perch. While watching such flying skill was enjoyable, it made taking a picture near impossible, but it was a summer song I wanted most.

Image 1: Green Heron
Image 2: Baltimore Oriole taking a bath
Image 3: Red Admiral butterfly

2011-08-13T10:09:00.034-04:00

Beautiful morning walk, with Suzette...

Red-tailed Hawk 1 ad

Mourning Dove 2

Chimney Swift 2

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3

Downy Woodpecker 1

Eastern Phoebe 1

Warbling Vireo 1

Red-eyed Vireo 3

Blue Jay 6

Black-capped Chickadee 8

Tufted Titmouse 6

House Wren 2

American Robin 12

Northern Mockingbird 4

Blue-winged Warbler 1 back of upper garden

Common Yellowthroat 2

Yellow Warbler 3

Northern Cardinal 4

Common Grackle 1

House Finch 4

American Goldfinch 6

Morning Glory, Dragonfly, Sunflower and Goldfinch
by Suzette

Summer Day

2011-07-30T08:55:00.007-04:00

Our Blue Heron

Arrived at the park a little before 7:00 a.m.It was 71 degrees and sunny. I thought it would be buggy as it had rained last night, but it wasn't bad at all. Was greeted by the call of the peewee coming from the JCC woods!

Quickly went straight to the pond in hopes of seeing the black-crowned night herons and sandpiper that Haynes saw on Thursday. No sign of them, but my friend the blue heron was there. I just love watching him wade through the water looking for fish. They move in slow motion and the way they pick up their large feet and place delicately place them in front as they move through the water is something to see.

Then I headed to the lower gardens. Saw robins, song sparrows, a female yellow warbler, house wren, catbirds, goldfinches, chickadees, blue jays and am now seeing some chimney swifts!

Queen Anee's Lace

Rose of Sharon

Walked up to the upper gardens where I hung out for quite a while. One gardener has planted some Rose of Sharons, which are stunningly beautiful right now. It happens to be one of my favorite flowers. The flowers right now are beautiful. There were gorgeous hollyhocks in a deep maroon color, huge sunflowers, purple phlox, bright orange mexican sunflowers and morning glories to name just a few. The Queen Anne's lace was in full bloom too. I tried growing it in my garden at home and while it is beautiful, it goes way too crazy in rich garden soil and I had to get rid of it.

One of the big treats in the upper gardens was a pair of barn swallows who were actually sitting still!!!!!! That is a rare sight. They seemed to be basking in the sun and were quite relaxed. They let me get pretty close.

Barn Swallow

Towards the back of the gardens, there was a lot of activity in the woods bordering the edge. Saw an oriole family, female, juvenile and dad, a common yellow throat male, downy woodpecker, male yellow warbler, song sparrows, cardinal, a warbling vireo (not warbling!) and some kind of a flycatcher. I watched it for the longest time and couldn't tell if it was a young phoebe, peewee or what. Didn't see any wingbars like the peewee but the head wasn't dark like the phoebe. That's why I was so confused.

2011-07-28T10:26:00.003-04:00

Nice morning!

Jul 28, 2011 7:15 AM - 9:15 AM

Comments: Sun, 68 deg, oc lt breeze.

25 species

Mallard 13

Black-crowned Night-Heron 2 - ad didn't move an inch, juv much more impatient

Solitary Sandpiper 1

Mourning Dove 3

Chimney Swift 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 m

Downy Woodpecker 4

Northern Flicker 5

Eastern Wood-Pewee 2

Great Crested Flycatcher 1

Eastern Kingbird 3

Blue Jay 4

Black-capped Chickadee 4

Tufted Titmouse 4

House Wren 6

Eastern Bluebird 1 song - near where they nested late in the season

American Robin 18

Gray Catbird 12

Northern Mockingbird 4 newly here

Yellow Warbler 6 interesting first prebasic molt

American Redstart 1 m

Common Yellowthroat 1

Song Sparrow 9

Baltimore Oriole 4

American Goldfinch 6

Sad Day for the Bluebirds

2011-07-17T12:33:00.008-04:00

It turned out to be quite decent at 7:00 a.m. Warm but not hot and not humid yet. Best of all, the mosquitos weren't bad at all - quite a contrast to the last few weekends.

It was pretty quiet today. I was greeted at the lower gardens by a bubbling house wren, robins, song sparrows and lots of catbirds. I could hear the wood thrush from the woods near the JCC.

As I walked around the lower gardens I did manage to see a male and female yellow warbler as well as the female yellowthroat. I heard her husband somewhere but never did catch a glimpse of him.

Upper gardens were quiet too - mostly the same as the lower with a chickadee and bluejay thrown in.

I was in the parking lot heading down to the pond, when I saw a flash of blue and some very strange flying low to the ground. As I arrived, I saw the saddest sight. There was a bluebird laying on the ground looking dead. I was devastated. I found a little stick to see if it was alive and it flew off a short distance and sat up. Something was terribly wrong with it but I couldn't tell what. It's tail feathers looked bent off to the side. I wasn't sure what to do - whether I should take it home and see if there was any chance it could survive with some care or leave it to mother nature. I decided to walk to the pond and if it was still there, reconsider.

Down by the pond I saw quite a few mallards but also saw the female wood duck! That was a nice treat - however there didn't appear to be a male unless he was out of view.

On my way back to the parking lot, I looked for the bluebird and it was gone. I'm sure it will not make it and I think it was a female. I hope it found a cooler spot to rest. This has been a tough time for the bluebirds. Our expert Brian discovered that a house wren had punctured the five eggs the bluebirds had laid a few weeks ago and now the female is dying. I just felt sick. I may go back this afternoon and see if I can find it. Of course I'm hoping for some miraculous recovery.

Blue Heron Back!

2011-07-10T08:47:00.003-04:00

Blue Heron

62 degrees and sunny at the park this morning around 7:00 a.m. I ran into Ian in the upper gardens and we had a nice walk.

The lower gardens were quite quiet - in song and birds! Saw a few song sparrows, robin, baby robins and catbirds. I heard a yellow warbler and house wren but didn't see them. Ian saw a kingbird and one tree swallow.

On the path to the upper gardens I saw a chipping sparrow and then caught a brief glimpse of a warbling vireo of which it turned out there were two. One was stationed in the woods at the back of the upper gardens. Saw a flicker and another kingbird.

Down near the soccer field, we saw a house wren and a baby or two, a female yellow warbler and either a female or juvenile rose breasted grosbeak as well as an eastern phoebe.

In the pond was our statuesque blue heron. I am so happy it's back! We saw another female grosbeak in the woods and it was much crisper in its coloration, so we thought the one we saw at the soccer field was most likely a juvenile.

Walked through the meadow and the woods. We did hear a pee wee and some blue jays, but that was about it.

Turkey Takeover!

2011-07-02T11:18:00.030-04:00

Wild Turkeys

Imagine my surprise as I headed to the lower gardens and saw two large creatures coming up over the little hill. They walked closer and closer towards me and then headed to the meadow to see if there was anything good to eat.

It was 64 degrees and sunny this morning at 6:30 a.m. and this was such a fun wake up call! As I toured around the lower gardens, I saw mourning doves, robins, swallows, house wrens, bunnies, yellow warblers, song sparrows, catbirds, etc. I didn't see the bluebirds, but I sure hope they are nesting in the box.

House Wren

I've also checked out the cedar waxwing nest two weekends in a row and haven't seen them in there. I'm not sure if they ended up nesting there. Now it looks like the rains have partially ruined the nest. I saw a seagull fly overhead.

The upper gardens mirrored the lower gardens for the most part except for a warbling vireo which I caught a very brief glimpse of before it flew off. The house wren was going crazy singing and is now in the purple box - second brood or different house wren? Who knows. The gardens are looking great and some people have such beautiful flowers like the poppy pictured to left.
Down near the soccer field, I saw baby redwing blackbirds, a phoebe and lots of robins and some yellow warblers.

I was very excited to see that the pond had a beautiful black crowned night heron hanging out with the bullfrogs that scream and jump in the water as I approach. The wood thrush was everywhere and nowhere. I could hear it's beautiful song and just as I thought I might locate it, it would fly across the path to another part of the woods and start singing again.

Mother and father phoebe are off the nest and I'm assuming the babies have flown. Bunnies of every size were there today. Little ones, big ones etc. This one made me laugh. It was so tiny that at certain points it looked as if it was just a head in the tall grass. Hope our friend the blue heron will be back soon...

Bluebirds Still Around!

2011-06-26T09:23:00.009-04:00

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

It was high 60's, overcast, humid and unbelievably buggy, which really wasn't a surprise on a day like today. I had been hoping for cool air and sun but it didn't happen.

The whole park was a lot quieter than last week, but still, I had a great sighting of this male hummingbird in the lower gardens. It was one of those rare opportunities where he actually was still for a few seconds. The house wrens are in and out of the box. I think some babies have left but maybe one or two aren't quite ready yet.

Wild Rose

There were robins, song sparrows, tree swallows, mourning doves, catbirds, titmice, yellow warblers and orioles. The best news being that eventually I saw the female bluebird near the parking lot and she flew into the box we saw her on last weekend. It really does look like they are going to nest but I don't want to get too excited.

Dead Baby Catbird

The upper gardens were very quiet. I ran into Ian later and we both saw young woodchucks running into the scrub only he saw the mother and the baby and he said the mother ditched the baby when she heard him coming! Saw this very sad sight of a baby catbird that was dead in the back of the lower gardens. Poor thing. I heard a warbling vireo in the woods. Saw a red wing blackbird and a phoebe doing all kinds of crazy acrobatics to catch an insect. The mulberry trees are blooming and catbirds and orioles families were hanging out partaking of the goodies.

Baby House Finch?

Heard the wood thrush in the woods near the soccer field and the frogs were singing away. Not a duck to be seen though. The river was quiet too - a few swallows, a cardinal and a kayaker.

On my way back to the car, I saw this bird and wonder if someone can identify it. It looked like possibly a juvenile house finch? This picture doesn't show it but it's breast was a little spotty.

A walk in the park

2011-06-19T20:14:00.037-04:00

An enjoyable walk through the Park with Suzette, who took the photographs.

The birds are noticeably quieter than just a few days ago. There seem to be fewer Baltimore Orioles this year. Also no Northern Mockingbirds, and as far as I know no Cuckoos.

Mourning Dove 2

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 M, perched in mulberry in upper garden

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Downy Woodpecker 2

Northern Flicker 1

Great Crested Flycatcher 1

Warbling Vireo 4

Red-eyed Vireo 3

American Crow 2

Tree Swallow 12

Barn Swallow 5

Black-capped Chickadee 2

Tufted Titmouse 3 vocalizations including snore

House Wren 4

Eastern Bluebird 3 M, F, and Juv. Singing, bringing nest material to box (at entrance to
lower garden), and copulating in a tree.

Wood Thrush 1

American Robin 15

Gray Catbird 8

Cedar Waxwing 3 Nest near boxes at lower garden being built

Yellow Warbler 8

Song Sparrow 8

Northern Cardinal 1

Red-winged Blackbird 12

Common Grackle 8

Brown-headed Cowbird 2

Baltimore Oriole 6

American Goldfinch 3

Bluebirds of Happiness

2011-06-18T19:41:00.005-04:00

Bluebird

Well, I couldn't wait to get to the park this morning after reading that Haynes had spotted the bluebirds. And who greeted me right away in the parking lot? The bluebirds! I saw them several times. They made a foray into the upper gardens and they were also exploring the boxes down near the parking lot. At one point I saw three birds, making me think that they were here all along, successfully had young but didn't use our boxes this spring. It looks like they might be considering a second brood…

Cedar Waxwing

It was overcast and in the upper 60's this morning and the lower gardens were so active that I spent most of my time there. House wrens were singing away as well as song sparrows, yellow warblers and a common yellow throat that I had a great view of - surprisingly high up in a tree. He was very active and I saw him chase a large robin around! As I rounded the corner near the golf course side, I heard a lot of baby begging noises. I tried to get a closer look and suddenly there were cedar waxwings and then I remembered there high pitched chittering noises. One couple is building a nest not far from the wren box. I watched her with plant material in her beak as she placed it and then tried out the nest to see if it was coming along to her satisfaction. It looks as though the yellow warblers are considering another family as I spotted this one (pictured left) with nesting material in it's beak as well.

Warbler with nesting material

The upper gardens were filled with catbird families and a house wren family in one of the boxes. The poor parents were taking turns finding insects and bringing them back to their noisy crew. Saw a pair of mourning doves and a female cowbird. Baltimore orioles were out in full force and I saw some young ones as their black hoods were rather spotty.

Peewee

Then I ran into Mary Lou and we saw a peewee (feel free to correct me if you think we were wrong) sitting on a fence right in front of us. She tried to get it to vocalize by whistling but it wasn't the least bit interested.

The pond was quiet except for some mallards diving in the middle. Could hear the wood thrush, but didn't have the luxury of seeing him today. The phoebe is still on her nest at the Nature Center and I heard the great crested flycatcher in the woods near the JCC.

Ran into some walkers at the park who saw a beautiful blue bird. After we looked at pictures of the bluebirds and the tree swallows they were almost certain it looked most like an indigo bunting. I certainly didn't see it,but I know they've been seen at the park. Who knows… That would be cool though.

2011-06-16T23:25:00.002-04:00

Nice to see Eastern Bluebird back at this site,

after being absent since early spring.

Amazing density of Wood Thrush!

Jun 16, 2011 7:20 AM - 9:00 AM

Wild Turkey 1 f, upper garden

Mourning Dove 6

Chimney Swift 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 3

Northern Flicker 1

Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 quick song

Eastern Phoebe 1 nest at center

Great Crested Flycatcher 2

Eastern Kingbird 1

Warbling Vireo 2

Red-eyed Vireo 1

Blue Jay 2

Tree Swallow 14

Barn Swallow 4

Black-capped Chickadee 4

Tufted Titmouse 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

House Wren 4

Eastern Bluebird 1 male, at box, singing

Wood Thrush 6

American Robin 14

Gray Catbird 12

Yellow Warbler 10

Song Sparrow 7

Northern Cardinal 4

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2 m feeding juv, path by pond

Red-winged Blackbird 6

Common Grackle 10

Brown-headed Cowbird 1

Baltimore Oriole 7

House Finch 2

American Goldfinch 2

Gray Day...

2011-06-11T19:29:00.003-04:00

Foxgloves

It was overcast today and a little drizzly and cool - in the 60's.

The birds are so much like us - they definitely seem more upbeat on sunny days. The lower gardens had most of our regulars: goldfinches, song sparrows, tree swallows, yellow warblers, robins, catbirds, orioles and a couple of rabbits. I was very excited when out of some bushes a tiny little ruby throated male hummer flew right at me and I had a great view of his bright red throat! The invasive wild roses were blooming along with some beautiful pink native roses and there was a luscious fragrance in the air.

Tree Swallow Looking like a Penguin

The upper gardens seemed rather quiet today with house wrens, titmice, robins and others. I couldn't help but take a picture of this tree swallow (to right) sitting on its box. Photographing it head on, it reminded me of a tiny penguin, so I felt compelled to add a little bow tie to its photo.

Down near the river I was surprised to see a wood thrush foraging in some brush. I hope it's in breeding mode. Saw and heard our warbling vireo singing again but the leaves now obliterate the view of the nest. It appears as if the phoebe is nesting again at the Nature Center and I hope her first brood was successful. The morning dove is not on its nest anymore down near the dock and the clump of twigs is sort of falling down out of the tree. Maybe it wasn't a great spot after all.

Our Very Own Migrant Has Returned - Haynes is Back!

2011-06-04T21:21:00.005-04:00

Baby Robin Waiting for Food!

Gorgeous day today! 53 degrees and sunny at 7:00 a.m. As I drove in, I could see that Haynes was back and checking everything out. He's been gone for a month!

I caught up with him and we walked up the path to the upper gardens. We caught a glimpse of a couple of deer. Lots of yellow warblers chasing each other around and hummingbirds. Saw that chickadees have nested in the box closest to the path. Guess the tree swallows are done for the season. Haynes saw nesting house wrens in the lower gardens.

Scarlet Tanager

We heard a warbling vireo, saw tree swallows, goldfinches, wrens, a common yellow throat, orioles, catbirds and Haynes heard the red eyed vireo. There was much excitement and discussion with another birder about a flycatcher and whether it was a willow, yellow bellied or least flycatcher. It was finally decided that it was most likely a least flycatcher.

Lady Slipper Orchid

Down by the river we saw the morning dove still sitting on its nest over the dock. It looks as though the phoebe babies have flown the coop successfully as the nest is now empty. We saw a warbling vireo in its nest high up in a tree on the edge of the river bank. Haynes showed me an area in front of the Nature Center where he had seen a snapping turtle laying its eggs!

We walked through the woods to the JCC and discovered a colony of lady slippers! I had no idea we had them growing in these woods (we found another colony next to the JCC parking lot where we also heard pine warblers). We got a great look at a scarlet tanager high up in a tree. Sorry that my picture doesn't do it justice, but hopefully you will see the flash of his striking red color as he sang his heart out. Also, heard the pee wees.

Nesting Season is Upon Us!

2011-05-22T18:42:00.004-04:00

Morning Dove

It was about 50 degrees this morning and fairly overcast when I arrived today early this morning. I was excited to see that the new seed in the meadow is sprouting and looking like a green haze!

I headed right down to the pond in hopes of seeing the wood duck and heard a veritable chorus of bullfrogs that sounded like an orchestra of plucked violin strings at weird intervals. Saw a little kinglet I think, in a branch right over my head. Heard the mallard and then I saw HIM in the middle of the pond. The wood duck I've been yearning for and he was very handsome too. Of course, he sensed my presence and moved as far away as possible and then flew off before I could get a picture. Oh well…

Baltimore Oriole

Down by the river I was happy to see the phoebe in her nest because yesterday at the festival at the park there was a canoe tent right next to the building and I was worried it would freak the mother out but all is o.k. so far. There are at least two robin nests overhanging the river. I don't really understand this because if a baby falls out, there is no chance it could survive. Heard lots of warbling vireos.

The mourning dove we saw building a nest yesterday before and after our canoe trip is now sitting in the nest and you can see her eye peeking through the branches in the picture at top left.

Notice me! I'm a great singer.

In the upper gardens I saw a kingbird and saw lots of oriole squabbles. I know it seems early, but I am pretty certain I saw an oriole couple feeding a baby on the loose. Found a robins nest and a catbird nest with birds in place and I know there's a yellow warbler nest in the same area but haven't located it yet. The parents are very protective of a certain area. Tree swallows still busy feeding their babies and saw a house wren couple chasing each other.

On the way down the path, I saw some movement in a little shrub and caught a very brief glimpse of the Northern parula. I think it was the female as it was more gray than blue.

As I was leaving, I ran into Ian who had just arrived. He saw a magnolia warbler in the scrub near the meadow so I went to check it out. I missed out on that, but then we both saw a black poll briefly, but very close up. Very exciting!

Canoe & Birding Trip with Pete Gilmore

2011-05-21T20:18:00.007-04:00

We met at 8:00 a.m. at the Charles River entrance of Nahanton Park for our canoe departure. There were five of us; Pete, Larry, Jane, myself and Don.

It was overcast but thankfully, NOT raining for a change. We took two canoes and went all the way to Millenium Park including a few side avenue explorations.

The main highlight was an incredible, at least five minute, very close look at a yellow billed cuckoo. We even got to hear one of its cuckoo vocalizations. Its coloring was just gorgeous from its yellow bill, to its rufous colored side feather to its black and white undertail feathers.

Yellow warblers and common yellow throats were heard everywhere and eventually we got to see a few warblers and a great view of the yellow throat male with his black mask.

We also saw an egret overhead, a blue heron, a mute swan, spotted sandpipers, zillions of red winged blackbirds and grackles, heard swamp sparrows and willow flycatchers, eastern kingbird, cardinals, female hybrid black duck x mallard, cormorants, red breasted grosbeak, wood ducks, song sparrows, red tailed hawk, barn swallows and tree swallows. And a deer near the banks of the river.

This was a really fun trip. You may not realize just how beautiful the Charles is until you're canoeing in it. It is so idyllic you would have no idea that you're surrounded by suburbs and city. I highly recommend this trip when it is offered again. Thanks Pete!

Thursday update: Magnolia Warbler and Fish Crow

2011-05-13T10:44:00.001-04:00

Warblers were out in force. The lower garden had yellowthroats and yellow warblers while only the songs of the ovenbird, parula, and black-throated green were filling the air. In a flowering bush I found the rose-breasted grosbeak sulking in the flowers (picture). In the middle of the of the garden there were two tree swallows resting on a pole and I couldn't believe my eyes but it appears their first brood has hatched. This youngster wasn't even being fed (as far as I could tell) but instead was talking to wing to chase insects around the garden. There was also a guy there at the park spreading seed into the wild flower meadow, so I am looking forward to its return.

Down by the boat dock were some of the less common finds A magnolia warbler sing in a low tree branch giving me a great view, while a fish crow flew over head giving its sore-throated "caw caw".

The Sounds of Spring: Part 3. American Woodcock.

2011-05-11T12:39:00.008-04:00

Part 3 of 3 recounting some of the sounds of Nahanton Park this spring. Future posts will include more current bird songs and calls.

On April 17th the night before Patriots Day, I thought I might be able to get over to Nahanton Park right around dusk and try to find my first woodcock. I parked in the Nahanton St. lot and headed strait up to the benches in woodcock meadow. I sat down to begin my wait while robins called and tried to find the perfect roosting spot. Overhead dozens and dozens of grackles flew streaming across the river towards Cutler Park while a pair of Canadian geese made for the Charles. As the light was rapidly waning, and the robins were settled down leaving only the occasional whinney or "tut" I began to give up hope, thinking that I had arrived too late in the season, in the day. Just as I was thinking I was going to have to try again next year- "peeent" - there it was, the buzzy nasal call of the woodcock (movie).

I sat listening to the "peent call growing more frequent, when suddenly one flew up out of the meadow and flew within meters of me during his ascending flight. I got a great view of the short stubby body and tail. His large dark eye was prominent on his round head and the long beak seemed out of place (for a picture visit this previous post). These odd wading birds decided long ago to eschew the typical habitat for waders by choosing to probe our deciduous forests for earth worms. During his flight his wing feathers produces complex twittering whistles, not too far from the more simple sounds of the morning dove's wings upon take off and landing. While I was unable to capture this display with my 'equipment' the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a great recording of the aerial display if you want to listen. The woodcock raised up into the air circling high over head "whistling" and I would loose them in the low light until he dropped quietly back in the tall grasses. I was able to stay for almost an hour, watching the moon rise (image for movie) and several other male woodcocks joined in competing for attention and posturing. I wondered if there were any female woodcocks there that night or if they were already tending to their eggs. If they were listening would they have been half as impressed as I was?

Alison Leary Birdwalk!

2011-05-08T11:21:00.013-04:00

Today was Alison's birdwalk and it was a great success! We had beautiful weather and the birds were most cooperative.

I caught up with Alison and her friend Francine in the lower gardens where they were headed down to the Nahanton Street entrance before the walk. We saw a Wilson's warbler and a black & white on the edge of the soccer field. That is definitely a great way to start off!

Black Throated Green

Black & White Warbler

With the group en masse, we walked by the pond and hung out at the soccer field area for awhile. We heard and then saw the red breasted grosbeak and we also heard the wood thrush which we saw a few minutes later. There were two of them and they were beautiful! A black throated blue was heard in the woods but no one ever got to see it. We cut through the path to the upper gardens where we were greeted by a cute little palm warbler. There were lots of tree swallows, cardinals, robins and goldfinches. We saw another black and white and then had a great view of a black throated green warbler in the recently pruned mulberry tree. I heard later that those who missed the black throated green were busy watching a Northern parula instead!

Wood Thrush Singing

The lower gardens were busy with tree swallows, yellow warblers and our regulars. We saw three brown headed cowbirds which Alison informed us often pick on yellow warbler nests to lay their eggs in. What a drag for the little warblers.

Then we headed through the woods near the JCC where we saw a black poll and a yellow rump and then we arrived at Woodcock meadow. Had an excellent sighting of a great crested flycatcher and several viewings of a pair of field sparrows with their little pinky orange beaks. There were chimney swifts flying overhead.

Robin on Nest

And orioles everywhere!

Hope people will join us for the next park activity which is a birding and boating trip down the Charles with birder Pete Gilmore, Saturday, May 21 at 8:00 a.m. at the Nahanton St. entrance. Newton Conservators get a 10% discount from Charles River Canoe & Kayak.

Rosebreasted Grosbeak Male Spotted!

2011-05-07T10:00:00.024-04:00

Yellow Warbler Female

Started off rather dreary and cold, but gradually turned into a gorgeous morning.

The lower gardens were rather uneventful (at least while I was there, although later I ran into some DPW guys cleaning up the trash and one of them saw 4 deer!). All I saw were robins, yellow warblers, catbirds, song sparrows and tree swallows.

Common Yellow Throat

In the upper gardens I saw jays, lots of orioles, tree swallows, cardinals, redwing blackbirds and some blue herons flying overhead. As I was rounding the path near the soccer field woods side, I saw this beautiful female yellow warbler in a crab apple bush and then all of a sudden there were yellow rumps, a common yellow throat and a hummingbird - all in this same little shrub!

Later, when I revisited there was a fabulous great crested flycatcher atop a tree.

Great Crested Flycatcher

In the soccer field, the dove is still on its nest. I heard some beautiful singing and finally saw the rose breasted grosbeak male and female! He is just glorious. There were goldfinches, yellow warblers, orioles etc.

Down by the river, the kingbirds were very active. The warbling vireos were singing. This has been such a great spring. I feel like I'm seeing so much more than last year. At least we've had the luxury of having the leaves not on the trees for longer, although they are coming in now.

Blue Heron in Flight

Tomorrow is a Mother's Day birdwalk led by Alison Leary. Meet at 8:00 at the Nahanton Street entrance. It sounds like it will be a nice day for it and you will be sure to see lots of great birds.

Don't see these every day!

2011-05-06T11:12:00.003-04:00

Id'd as Meadow Jumping Mouse

This creature was seen as I was leaving the park this morning at around 10:45 a.m. It was scurrying across the pavement near the Winchester St. entrance. I'm not sure if it's a field mouse or some other kind of mouse, but it seemed larger than the little mice you see in houses.

At any rate, the park was alive with all kinds of birds today. There were orioles, yellow warblers, yellow rumped warblers, black & white warblers, northern parulas, red-bellied woodpeckers and our regulars.

Walking through the woods saw great crested flycatchers and a beautiful ovenbird that Jane spotted as well as a garter snake that was about 15 inches long. We heard the wood thrush too. So glad they are back!

The Eastern kingbirds were seen down by the Charles making their usual racket. Also saw the female red breasted grosbeak towards the back of the upper gardens.

The Sounds of Spring: Part 2. Yellow Warbler

2011-05-03T12:22:00.006-04:00

This is part 2 of a 3 part series on the sounds from Nahanton.

On April 24th when the yellow warbler was spotted for the first time at Nahanton Park, I headed over to the park hoping to see my first warbler of the year. The first thing I noticed upon getting out of the car was the number of tree swallows twittering over the field and gardens. I even managed to get some pictures when they came to rest for a brief moment by the nest box before returning to wing. While I explored the lower garden I thought that I could hear the "sweet sweet sweet little-more-sweet" song of a yellow warbler, but it was so high up in the trees I had very little hope of finding the singer. As I looped around the garden though, he finally descended into the shrubs, giving me a great view though not a great picture (video). The audio sound track contains many of the garden dwellers that are listed below along with the time they are singing. The yellow warbler did not want to give us his traditional song, though he does sing several clear "sweet sweet sweet" phrases which are by far the loudest. And even more interesting, the birds all appear to be taking turns, singing in succession without much overlap of their songs and calls.

American Robin: starting at 2 seconds
American Goldfinch: 5 s, 18 s, and 28s
Tree Sparrow: 11 s
Yellow Warbler: 20 s and 31 s

The Sounds of Spring: Part 1. Red-Bellied Woodpecker

2011-05-02T07:27:00.012-04:00

This is part 1 of a series of 3 recapping some of the bird songs from Nahanton.

After reading about the Saturday morning bird walk I was inspired to make my way over to Nahanton around 6pm. In the gardens the catbirds must have recently moved in as their songs added tremendously to the din and commotion of bird life. Yellow warblers were plentiful and one of them seemed to be following me around. I even caught a brief glimpse of what I thought was a field sparrow. I can't wait to hear them sing. With a bunch of soccer players on the field I headed down the path to the river and could hear the Baltimore oriole's liquid whistles floating over the swamp. Just as I reached the Charles I could hear the "churrr, churrr" of the red-bellied woodpecker. (I can't yet just embed audio files, but I turned the audio into a movie with a still image I took a few moments later. The Baltimore orioles whistles can be heard faintly in the background at seconds 4-6.)

I looked up and saw a woodpecker poking his head out of a hole in a dead tree. As I watched he kept "churrr-ing" away until a second red-bellied woodpecker flew in and then both ducked back into the hole before she flew off leaving the male behind continuing his calling. Could that be a nest!? Across the river two flickers were chasing each other around and calling and then further down the path a black-and-white warbler was searching tree branches for bugs and a male and female wood duck landed just 20 feet from me in the flooded area next to the path.

After the soccer players moved on, the soccer field yielded song, field, and savannah sparrows. Up in woodcock meadow, there was a number of palm warblers flitting about, but then wait. One had a gray head and white eye ring! And indeed my last find of the day as the sun slipped behind clouds at the horizon was a Nashville warbler!

Nahanton is the place to be. Love is in the air!

2011-05-01T08:32:00.024-04:00

Mourning Dove Couple

Today it was 43 degrees when I arrived and sunny but at least I was dressed for it unlike yesterday.

Lots of excitement going on in the lower gardens! Robins flitting about, catbirds gurgling, yellow warblers singing, swallows chittering, song sparrows on their bandstands, chickadees, titmice, cowbirds and a pair of white throated sparrows singing their song.

And how can you not fall in love with this loving pair of mourning doves. Then came the bubbling song of the house wren - although it turned out there were several. I am so happy to see them back!

Yellow Rump Female?

Yellow Rump Male

I spotted a little warbler in the brush near the tree swallow nests at the back of the lower gardens and I am pretty certain it was a Nashville! It had a little white eye ring, olivey back and bright yellow chest and yellow underbelly.

The upper gardens were busy too. Lots of tree swallows and lots and lots of yellow rumps. The mulberry tree that the birds like so much was pruned quite severely, but I guess that was better than taking it down. The gardens are being tilled and I found another robins nest by accident. Will be keeping an eye on it from now on.

As I was leaving, I popped back into the lower gardens where I spotted a quick glimpse of a bluebird. Was it our bluebird? Who knows... But at least there's one around.

And down below is my first attempt at video on our blog. When you click on "play", the video will be a bit more focused, but the main things is we get to hear the song of the catbird.

Great Birdwalk with Haynes!!

2011-04-30T12:00:00.007-04:00

Today's birding group

It was rather chilly, windy and overcast today but when the sun came out it was lovely and the main thing is that we saw some really great birds and had a great walk around the park!

We started in the lower gardens where we heard and saw several yellow warblers. Some of us saw the Northern Parula which has a buzzy call and is just totally beautiful. We spotted another one later in the woods near the parking lot.

The tree swallows were everywhere and we had sightings of cardinals, catbirds, mourning doves, song sparrows, robins, cowbirds and jays.'

Baltimore Oriole

As they were pruning a large tree in the upper gardens and making lots of noise, we headed down to the soccer fields where we saw several very colorful yellow rump warblers and a ruby crowned kinglet as well as a beautiful savannah sparrow. The pond was quiet today.

Down by the river we could hear a lot of singing and it turned out that several warbling vireos had blown in overnight! They were singing like crazy along with a baltimore oriole who was hanging out in the same tree. A phoebe was doing nest duty already while the mate was nearby and Haynes spotted some chimney swifts flying overhead.

We then walked up through Woodcock meadow and down the path that leads by the JCC through the woods lured by the sound of the pine warbler. We cut through to the back of the JCC where it was sunny and warm and we finally got to see the pine warbler. We also saw a black and white warbler and heard its buzzy call. They had a bird feeder set up and we also saw nuthatches and titmice and a cute little chipping sparrow.

Chipping Sparrow

Going through the woods to the parking lot we had another great viewing of some extremely bright yellow rumped warblers and caught a very brief glimpse of the red bellied woodpecker. Back at the parking lot everyone left, but Haynes and I felt compelled to check out the upper gardens now that the tree pruning was done.

Still no sign of the bluebirds - how sad… but lots of yellow rumps here as well and Haynes saw a kestrel flying overhead which was most exciting. Don't see that every day at Nahanton! A red tailed was soaring as well. Cormorant flew overhead as well.

The only thing I saw that the group didn't get to see were some palm warblers down in the lower gardens.

Spring is early this year!

2011-04-29T11:42:00.009-04:00

Catbird

Beautiful sunny morning, amid the ruins of the park. Judy Dore was there with Mark the city tree man, Duane Hillis, and a gardener, inspecting the beautiful old mulberry tree in the middle of the upper garden. It does have splits in it, which all seem quite old. It's not clear why this moment was chosen to consider taking it down. It didn't seem to make the gardener happy to have a truck drive over his new planting. They may be able to take off just the southern stem of the tree. This will happen at 7:00 tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, the birds: e-bird was skeptical of the yellow warblers, the orioles, the parula, and the flycatcher -- all of which were unambiguous. It also questioned the common yellowthroat I believe I heard in the upper garden, but didn't see. I guess it's an early spring.

Canada Goose 9

Wood Duck 1 F calling flyover

Mourning Dove 6

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 3

Downy Woodpecker 4

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2

Eastern Phoebe 1

Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Woods near JCC

Blue Jay 4

American Crow 2

Tree Swallow 14

Barn Swallow 1

Black-capped Chickadee 6

Tufted Titmouse 6

House Wren 1

American Robin 20

Gray Catbird 8

Northern Mockingbird 1

European Starling 8

Northern Parula 1 back of upper gardens

Yellow Warbler 8

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2

Pine Warbler 2 JCC

Chipping Sparrow 2 JCC

Savannah Sparrow 1

Song Sparrow 8 Upper gardens

Northern Cardinal 4

Red-winged Blackbird 6

Common Grackle 6

Brown-headed Cowbird 2

Baltimore Oriole 2 Upper gardens

American Goldfinch 5

Yellow Warbler Arrived!

2011-04-24T10:38:00.011-04:00

Yellow Warbler

What a gorgeous Easter morning. 60 degrees at 8:00 a.m. and sunny! How badly did we need this?

Tree swallows are nesting in one of the boxes at the entrance to the lower gardens. Lots of robins, jays, song sparrows, goldfinches. Then I heard the "sweet, sweet, sweet"… and there he was - singing his heart out and flitting all around the gardens. He looks really happy to be back!

Robin

In the upper gardens I heard the red bellied woodpecker. Saw lots of swallows, titmice and chickadees. The cardinal couple was out and about and we still, surprisingly have some juncos left. Towards the back of the upper gardens I was looking for the jay nest that Haynes told me about. I couldn't see it (although there is a couple hanging out there alot) but I did see some ruby crowned kinglets which made my day!

Turtles Sunning

I took the shortcut through the woods to the soccer field and saw a thrush again, only this one looked different than the veery as it was darker and not so red. I'm thinking it may have been a wood thrush, but heard no song and can't confirm one way or the other. It was a very brief glance, but it had dark brown spots on its breast.

The pond was duckless, but I did spy two turtles out for a sunning on an old log. They obviously are loving this warm day, just like the rest of us. The bloodroot colony is starting to bloom down there by the pond's edge. It's so beautiful.

Eastern Phoebe

The river was fairly quiet. The eastern phoebes were hanging out near the Nature Center and then I saw my chestnut brown friend the muskrat - cruising down the river on the opposite bank. It really moves quite quickly. It always seems like it's late for a very important date.

Some white throated sparrows of the brown striped variety were poking around in the leaves at the edge of the soccer field path on my way back.

Yellow Rumps Here!

2011-04-19T07:55:00.002-04:00

After seeing the mysterious little warblerish bird yesterday down by the river, I had a funny feeling they'd be arriving soon, so on my way home from an early swim, I stopped by the park. Saw some birds high above me down near the soccer field and had a feeling they were warblers but didn't have my binoculars and could only see them from underneath. Quickly drove home to retrieve the binocs and hurried back hoping the rain would hold out.

At first, I couldn't find them again, but all of a sudden in a large tree set back from the soccer path on the pond side, there were at least a dozen or more yellow rumps flitting all around. The viewing was a little difficult because they are so small and they were so high up in the tree and the light was very dim and gray. I think there may have been other kinds of warblers in this group but it was too difficult to identify under these conditions.

Yippee!!!! They're here. I'm so excited.

Patriot's Day Weekend Update

2011-04-18T17:31:00.005-04:00

Friday around 7:00 p.m. I went to the park. It was a nice evening and not a time of day I usually go, but it was still light out. Upon entering the path to the lower gardens I saw a small sparrow quite near me. I thought it was a chipping sparrow but when I saw it through the binoculars it had a distinctive orange beak which means it had to be a field sparrow! Also saw a savannah sparrow not too far away.

Early Saturday morning I saw mostly our regulars, but I did catch the phoebe hanging out in last years nest already! What creatures of habit. From there I went on a great walk with Alison and Ted starting at the Watch factory in Waltham where some of our highlights were a kingfisher, pine warbler and yellow rumps.

Today it was actually pretty cold at 45 degrees. Saw the savannah sparrow again and our regulars in the lower gardens. The tree swallows are practically swarming around the upper gardens as well as some titmice, goldfinches, robins, etc. Heard the red-bellied woodpecker somewhere near the soccer field. Also thinking there might have been a wood duck in the pond. Something flew up from the water before I even got there but the mallards stayed. Those wood ducks sense you before you even realize you're near.

Down by the river I saw a male downie, a red-winged blackbird, chickadees, titmice and a mysterious little olivey-yellow plump, but warbleresque bird. We surprised each other and therefore I didn't really have a chance to examine it. Saw my friend swimming in the middle of the river and got another picture. It finally came towards the edge of the river and now I am almost certain that it is a muskrat. It moved along at quite a clip - I could hardly keep ahead of it and then it disappeared under the water at the exact same spot it disappeared last time.

Muskrat

On my way back I ran into Haynes who had also seen a couple of savannah sparrows. We saw a small hawk overhead and he identified it as a Coopers hawk which was pretty nice. I'm wondering when the warblers will appear at Nahanton. I'm thinking it should be any day now.

Pleasant Weather - Finally!

2011-04-10T09:37:00.003-04:00

Mackerel Sky

It was cool, but beautiful this morning and all our regulars were around.

Of interest today in the lower gardens were a couple of white throated sparrows foraging near the edge of some scrub. I ran into Haynes down there and I hope he sees them.

Flicker Couple

I heard the phoebes in the woods at the edge of the upper gardens (driveway side) and eventually saw them - one hanging out there and one at the edge of the woods near the swamp area.

The highlight today for me was when I arrived at the path to cut through the woods to the soccer field. I had only walked a few steps when I saw a very reddish brown bird sitting on a low scrub branch not five feet away. I am sure it was a veery, but it seemed awfully early. As I reached for my camera, it flew off.

Saw a pair of flickers in the upper gardens and also down near the river. They were inseparable today. If one flew off, the other followed.

Can't wait to find out what Haynes sees today if he posts.

Tree Swallows and Chipping Sparrow Have Arrived!

2011-04-09T16:46:00.006-04:00

Don't let the bluebirds take this!

Now, to find my wife...

It was actually pretty cold this morning - 31 degrees around 7:00 a.m. Tons of robins in the meadow and as I headed into the lower gardens I saw a white shape up in a tree and was so excited to see a tree sparrow! Turned out there were lots of them. They were in all their usual places, trying to reserve their favorite boxes. The two at left were in the upper gardens and the one beneath was in the meadow.

All the regulars were there: jays, song sparrows, cardinals, mourning doves etc. The upper gardens had chickadees, juncos, song sparrows, titmice and goldfinches. It's funny but for awhile several different species were hanging out in their big old favorite tree in the middle of the gardens. I ran into Ian and we also saw some titmice, a flicker and a beautiful chipping sparrow. Geese, ducks and grackles were flying overhead. Ian had seen the cowbirds - 2 females and a male.

No sign of the Eastern phoebes or the bluebirds today.

Eastern Phoebes Back!

2011-04-03T09:30:00.007-04:00

Eastern Phoebe

Well, we were promised a nice weekend and it turned out to be as predicted. It was only 38 degrees when I arrived at 7:00 a.m., but it didn't feel too bad.

The river at first seemed pretty quiet, but the longer I stayed, the more I saw and heard. Of course there were robins and blue jays and as I stood on the dock I saw some ducks in the distance and I thought I saw a teal. So I walked along the path and finally saw the teal hanging out with some mallards and geese. It didn't seem to be part of a couple and it turned out to be a green winged teal which I, personally haven't seen before down here (have seen them other places) so that was kind of fun.

Checking out last years nest

Otter/Muskrat?

As I was heading back, I saw a dark brown creature swimming by the edge of the river. It was the exact same color as the creature I had seen a few weeks ago so I don't know if it was the otter, a muskrat or what and I have a very poor picture in case someone else can figure it out. It's all so mysterious that I feel like I'm trying to capture the Lochness monster or something. Heard the red bellied woodpecker and saw some chickadees on my way back and as I stood on the dock a second time I heard a very persistent phoebe call and I suddenly realized this wasn't chickadees. It must be the Eastern phoebe is back! I looked all around and I finally saw it high in a tree. It seemed very excited and was flying all around the Nature Center and then all of a sudden there were two! and they were chasing each other and checking out both the nests. I feel like they just arrived and had to make sure everything was where it should be. It was then that I ran into Ian, only they totally disappeared and we could only hear them from across the river.

Meanwhile, in the upper and lower gardens were our regulars including cowbirds, jays, robins, juncos, goldfinches, cardinals, crows, chickadees, song sparrows and a mourning dove. I did see two blue herons flying overhead squawking loudly in flight. Ran into a man who had seen the bluebirds in the upper gardens but I checked twice and didn't see them and neither did Ian. It's amazing how they're there one minute and then they just vanish.

Screech Owl

2011-04-02T10:29:00.003-04:00

After a fairly quiet tour through the park, highlighted mainly by a Hairy Woodpecker above the pond and a large off-leash black dog harassing me near the soccer field, I checked out the pile of debris and Christmas trees near the Winchester Street entrance. In a knothole in the right large tree behind the pile, there was a red-phase Screech Owl. It vanished, amazingly, while I was fussing with my camera.

The Elusive Fox Sparrow

2011-03-26T12:48:00.003-04:00

Fox Sparrow

It was pretty darn cold out today. 26 degrees and clear. Back to the winter clothing drill. Even if I took my gloves off for a minute my hands were frozen solid.

I saw some of the shallow water areas were frozen again as I headed down to the river. Tons of robins, blue jays and some grackles down there as well as a few mallards and Canadian geese couples. Saw two herring? gulls flying overhead.

On the way back to the soccer field I saw what I think is the same red tail hawk I keep seeing hanging out in a tree near the pond. Just as I saw it, there was some scrambling in the leaves near me and I saw a very reddish brown furry creature that I thought might be a woodchuck or something but I couldn't get a good look it. I'm always amazed at all the creatures that live here. Near the little round-about parking area I saw lots of chickadees, titmice and had a great look from underneath of a beautifully red breasted nuthatch.

Red Tail Hawk

In the lower gardens I was so hoping to see the fox sparrows that Jane and Haynes had seen. At first I only saw song sparrows, some juncos and a few mockingbirds although I did see a tree with three cowbirds - 1 female and two males. Then heard a beautiful song that I didn't recognize. I had heard it last weekend too and was wondering if it might be the fox sparrows but since I couldn't see the songster and I'm not familiar with their song, I couldn't confirm. Today though, I finally caught a glimpse of it and I'm glad I had studied up on it because I only saw it from underneath but its breast was unmistakeable and at top left is a poor picture of it. Ian appeared from nowhere and he heard the song too. He checked it against his iphone bird song app and we both think it was definitely the fox sparrow. Also, saw a bright yellow goldfinch looking very elegant.

We headed to the upper gardens and had another very close encounter with the hawk. I think it really likes to be photographed. It's most cooperative and lets you get very close.

2011-03-22T10:49:00.002-04:00

Morning visit to the garden plots with a quick swing past the river. Spring is here! I did not see the bluebirds this morning, nor the otter. But the singing Fox Sparrows were a treat. What's that large piece of junk just below the trail through the woods from the wildflower meadow to the upper garden, at the meadow end?

Canada Goose 2

Mallard 8

Turkey Vulture 1

Red-tailed Hawk 2

Ring-billed Gull 3

Mourning Dove 8

Downy Woodpecker 1

Blue Jay 10

American Crow 4

Black-capped Chickadee 4

Tufted Titmouse 4

American Robin 60

Northern Mockingbird 2

European Starling 1

Fox Sparrow 5 Around the lower garden, singing

Song Sparrow 12

White-throated Sparrow 4

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 9

Northern Cardinal 4

Red-winged Blackbird 4 All M

Common Grackle 12

Brown-headed Cowbird 4 2 M 2 F

House Finch 4

American Goldfinch 3

Woodcock and Wood Duck

2011-03-20T20:02:00.003-04:00

Right on time, 15 minutes after sunset at 7:10, a Woodcock and then a second flew into the Woodcock field and started their display. Earlier, a dozen Mallards and two calling Wood Ducks had flown over; also several Robins came in to roost, and a Northern Mockingbird. Very nice evening, before the moonrise. Best access to Woodcock Field is from the little parking lot off of Nahanton St east of the main entrance to the park.

Waiting for Migrants!

2011-03-19T14:24:00.008-04:00

Robin Tree

Got to the park around 7:45 a.m. Not as nice as yesterday, but very pleasant. I saw Mary Lou arrive just as I was getting my stuff out of the car, so we walked around together and were joined shortly by Ian.

There was a large number of robins congregating in the lower gardens and many of them were hanging out in these large groups in various trees. Saw many juncos, blue jays and song sparrows. A house finch couple was seen hanging out at the top of the tree in the middle of the gardens. Mockingbirds were present, some of them chasing robins and there were several chickadees flitting here and there. Mary Lou was hoping to see a fox sparrow and so was I since Jane had seen one a few days ago but alas, it was not to be today.

Lady Bluebird and her Fine Jewels

We headed to the upper gardens where we saw the bluebird couple again and I had to take a picture of the female bluebird, looking very feminine atop her jewelry stand with silver beads hanging! Husband still standing sentinal on the purple birdhouse. Finally saw a few goldfinches (they seemed noticeably absent the last few times I was there) so that was a nice treat. Cardinals were singing up a storm. No sign of American tree sparrows. Are they gone already?

Sleeping Mallard Couple

Worked our way through the woods and down to the river. The pond is suddenly melting, but didn't see much there except a few song sparrows. Down by the river we saw some geese and mallard couples as well as the couple I have pictured that was sleeping together in some standing water near the soccer fields.

Woodcocking by the Light of the Moon

2011-03-17T20:47:00.003-04:00

What a beautiful night to watch the woodcocks! Jane and I headed over to the park around 6:30 where we met up with Katherine and Beth. Very mild and clear.

There was a soft, full moon that slowly rose as we awaited the moment of the first "peeeent" with nervous anticipation as to whether it would really happen or not. This year it came around 7:15 or so whereas last year it was about 7:00.

We headed over to the area of the call. It is just such a hilarious, comical sound. There were at least two woodcocks and probably more. Right before the first one flew up in the air, Ian appeared! We saw several flights with the wonderful sounds of the wings which are different on the way up then the way down and we had some great views where the woodcock flew right in front of us and though in silhouette, we could see clearly its long, pointed beak and it's round belly. What a nice way to spend an evening.

Beautiful Specimen

2011-03-16T19:46:00.004-04:00

You have to admit, this is one handsome bird.

River Otter!

2011-03-13T12:30:00.008-04:00

On the way back from an errand, I popped into the Nahanton Street entrance to the park in hopes of seeing the mergansers. Stood on the dock and saw one Canadian goose.

Then I spotted a dark brown weasel-like creature on the opposite bank under the overpass. I quickly drove to the top of the driveway, hopped out and ran to the bridge to get a closer look. I got a really good view of it, but unfortunately didn't have my camera. It had dark brown fur with a medium fluffy tale and the cutest face. It's back was slightly humped as it walked along on short legs. I think it was about 18" long with a tail that was about 18" or so.

Though this is the third time I am revising this entry, I am pretty certain it was a river otter having temporarily gotten confused about the other possibilities! The weasel family also consists of regular weasels, fisher cats and minks (and all can swim!), but Haynes said minks are much smaller. When I saw Ian a week later, it turned out he had seen the otter in the same spot but on the Saturday so it was definitely hanging out there. It was not a beaver or muskrat because of the tail. I followed it a little ways and it went right into the river but didn't seem terribly frightened as it stayed in one area by the banks. I think Jon Regosin had told us on a walk last summer that the river otters were moving from the south up this way. It's so exciting that we have them at our park if indeed we do!

Our Bluebird Couple is Back!!!!

2011-03-12T11:15:00.004-05:00

Mr.

It was about 40 degrees around 8:00 a.m. when I arrived. It didn't feel cold at all and the sky was a beautiful blue and very few clouds.

The lower garden had mockingbirds and lots of song sparrows singing. Heard the one that sounds like a field sparrow with its descending notes. There were two red tailed hawks soaring above as well as some geese and a seagull.

Mrs.

In the upper gardens I almost couldn't believe my eyes, but here was our Mr. Bluebird sitting atop the very birdhouse that they theoretically had their second brood in (not that we ever saw the babies). Mrs. was sitting in a very relaxed manner on a post nearby. What a nice treat after such a nasty winter. Totally made my day. A cardinal was singing up there too.

The Swamp

I took the walk by the swamp which is now back to being a swamp after being rather dried up after last years beastly summer. Still looking for that owl, but no luck in that department. After the rains we had, it's flooded again and can't get very far so I had to get down to the river by cutting through the woods that lead to the soccer field. There were several blue jays and juncos down there flitting here and there and making their funny twittering noises. I felt like they were chatting - busy fueling up and making plans for their trip up North. They probably will be leaving in the not too distant future. Chipmunks were seen darting about in the leaves and up the trees.

The river walk was flooded not too far in, but saw a pair of mallards quietly hanging out on the other side of the river and also a few pairs of Canadian geese. Wonder if they're nesting yet… Lots of robins down there enjoying a flooded area across the path with several grackels and some downies while a few red bellies purred away but weren't seen.

As I stood on the dock, desperately hoping for some mergansers I had a surprise visit from Haynes! That is yet another sign of spring. I was happy to hear that he saw the bluebirds too. We walked up through Woodcock meadow and then the woods by the JCC hoping to see some brown creepers. Managed to see some chickadees and heard a nuthatch but that was about it.

Spring is Coming!

2011-03-06T09:29:00.000-05:00

It was over 50 degrees when I got to the park at 7:30 a.m.! After the winter we've been having this is a very welcome relief.

Spent a week in Florida admiring herons, egrets, ibis, wood storks, pelicans (white and brown), a pileated woodpecker, gnatcatchers, palm warblers, black & whites, yellow rumps, a yellow throat, kinglets, vireos as well as lizards and iguanas. Now back to real life.

There was a veritable chorus of song sparrows in the lower gardens today. They sound like they are ready for some action! They also didn't seem to mind my presence and let me get pretty close.

Otherwise, most of the activity seemed to be down by the river. I was afraid I may have missed them - but now that the river is melting, there they were - my friends the hooded mergansers. Today, it was a couple. I also saw in the distance some other, very interesting looking ducks. They had areas of dark and white with bright orange beaks, but just a little too far away to positively identify. I'm guessing they were male common mergansers, but don't know for sure.

Lots of chickadees, some robins, bluejays, blackbirds, the sound of a red belly purr, crows, the red tail hawk they were upset about, a downy woodpecker, nuthatches and titmice.

The chipmunks looked so happy to be out of their winter dens. They were chasing each other up and down fallen logs and through the leaves having a blast! Some of them were more intent on posing and having their picture taken like the one pictured to left.

Red Bellies and Brown Creepers!

2011-02-13T09:35:00.000-05:00

25 degrees this morning and pretty overcast.

The meadow is now surrounded by more enormous snowbanks. Top soil has accidentally been dug up and lays in mounds atop snow banks or dangling from the sides. No wonder this meadow has such a hard time growing flowers.

At any rate, had a nice walk all around the park today. Since it's February, I was hoping for some mergansers in the river, but I soon realized, the river is pretty much frozen as far as the eye can see, so that would be impossible right now. I had to control myself from walking out on the frozen river. It's awfully tempting, but I knew I shouldn't.

There seemed to be several red-bellied woodpeckers about today. They were quite vocal, but not with their purring noises - just a lot of nasal squawking. This particular one was in the upper gardens hanging out with some nuthatches.

I caught a glimpse of a brown creeper in the woods right near the bee hives. I am so excited to have finally seen one this year! Tried to capture him digitally, but no such luck. He kept moving on, ahead of me.

This cardinal (to left) was chipping away as he surveyed the upper gardens. Isn't he beautiful? There was a mockingbird nearby and I could hear the calls of the titmice but didn't get to see any. Blue jays were there as well and I'm sure many others that I didn't get to see.

The lower gardens are pretty impassable at least from the upper gardens side.

Snowshoes, Climbing Equipment and Hazmat Wear Necessary

2011-02-06T09:17:00.000-05:00

Panorama of Snow Banks

Today was about 37 degrees at 8:00 a.m. and sunny. Between an insane work schedule the last three weeks and the continuous snow storms, I have not been able to get over to the park and I've really missed it.

Entry to Lower Gardens

With all the snow, I wasn't surprised that they started dumping at the park, but it really was a sad sight to behold. These banks are at least 15 feet high and they are also dumping in our wildflower meadow as well. Can't imagine all the crap that is in this snow that will now be in the environment here. I feel so bad for the birds and animals. I worry about what they will be eating on the ground.

Dumping in Meadow

It was tough walking around without snowshoes. Except for a few well walked paths, it was impossible to walk all around the lower gardens or some areas in the upper because the snow came up to my knees!

I did manage to see some blue jays and robins in the lower gardens as well as a large, beautiful red tailed hawk that was definitely on the prowl.

Down by the soccer fields, I heard a nuthatch and more blue jays. It is quite apparent from the prints in the snow just how many people are using this as a dog park.

Snow Tracks

2011-01-09T16:37:00.000-05:00

Today was about 30 degrees at 7:30 a.m.

The park was unbelievably quiet. I went for a long walk all around the gardens, the river and the pond. Not a peep or sighting of any birds. Since the snow was fresh, there was only one thing to do… Look for animal tracks.

I saw some rabbit and squirrel prints and plenty of things that I wasn't sure of, but I saw the prints pictured above and thought it was possible they were fox prints. There were no snow boot prints in the fresh snow which is why I didn't think they were from a dog.

Eventually, I took a path near the Winchester St. entrance that leads behind the little brick house. It's usually filled with briars and pretty much impassable, but today it didn't look so bad. It's here that many birds were hanging out - at least our chickadees, juncos and titmice. The titmice were busy pecking at tree bark looking for bugs and rummaging in the snow. At right is a photo of one of them as it poked it's head up after it had been rooting around in the snow looking for something good to eat.

As I took the shortcut into the lower gardens, I ran into Ian! We did the gardens together and saw very little except a partially eaten robin which was sad. Guess the hawks or something had to eat.

Fog's Rolled In!

2011-01-02T09:17:00.000-05:00

7:15 a.m and it feels pretty warm - high 40's/low 50's.

The park is as foggy as I've ever seen it! Can hardly see ahead of you. Very atmospheric. Pretty quiet too.

The lower gardens had a crow, mockingbird, cardinal, juncos and tree sparrows. Didn't see much else.

The rest of my travels only yielded a very vocal blue jay, some chickadees performing some of their amazing gymnastics and 25 geese flying overhead.

Day After Christmas

2010-12-26T08:52:00.000-05:00

White Throated Sparrow

It was 28 degrees this morning at about 7:15 when I went to the park.

I decided to go for a walk before the "threatened" snowstorm arrives, but it was already coming down lightly and gently - a beautiful morning for a walk.

I walked all around the park and found it extremely quiet and wondered where everyone was hiding. I'm sure they know a storm is coming!

From the upper gardens I went on the path that goes through the woods to the river. Nothing. When I arrived at the dock at the Nahanton Street entrance, I finally heard some little noises. First I saw some chickadees, then some titmice, then some juncos, and then a nuthatch. It was cute how they were all hanging out together - the brave crowd ready to tough out the snow. As I stood and watched, I finally realized that some kind person had thrown some sort of food for them on the ground and that was why they were all congregating there.

Before I knew it, several blue jays had appeared, some mourning doves, a pair of downies, a red-bellied woodpecker and the white throated sparrow pictured above.

Still no sign of the barred owl...

Oh, Nahanton Christmas Tree...

2010-12-25T11:41:00.000-05:00

O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!

Much pleasure thou can'st give me;

O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!

Much pleasure thou can'st give me;

How often has the Christmas tree

Afforded me the greatest glee!

O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!

Much pleasure thou can'st give me.

Christmas Bird Count Today

2010-12-19T19:56:00.000-05:00

Today was the bird count and though it was a little chilly, the weather cooperated - no snowstorms, wind or rain which made for much easier hiking than last year.

After some delicious coffee cake and hot drinks, we broke up into about five groups. Haynes was the leader for the Kennard Park, Brown and Oak Hill areas. He has the final list and tallies, so I will do my best to recall some of the birds we saw today, though nothing unusual was spotted.

Between the two areas, we saw many juncos, robins, starlings, some crows, seagulls, geese and ducks. There were carolina wrens, chickadees, titmice, song sparrows, a red-bellied woodpecker, nuthatches, a red-tailed hawk, downies, cardinals and blue jays.

As we were leaving, Haynes spotted some unusual shaped, freshly made holes in a healthy pine tree near the entrance to the Kennard, that he felt could be serious evidence of a pileated woodpecker. That would be quite exciting! May go back to investigate.

Christmas Bird Count Tomorrow!

2010-12-18T16:17:00.000-05:00

Please join us for The Annual Christmas Bird Count - tomorrow morning, Sunday, December 19th.

Meet at Cris Crisatello's house at 2 Raeburn Terrace, Newton Highlands at 7:00 a.m. Several groups will be formed to cover the Newton area. Those who'd like to search for owls should plan to come at 5:00 a.m. Coffee, cocoa and coffee cake will be available.

The count should be finished by 2:00 p.m. at the latest. Most groups finish well before that time.

If you have any questions, call Cris at 617.244.6397 or Alison Leary at 617.821.5619.

Red Tail Again!

2010-12-11T21:37:00.000-05:00

Red-Tailed Hawk

38 degrees at 7:15. Very quiet at the park. A few joggers etc. Birds were very quiet in the upper gardens. I think this is the same hawk I saw a few weeks ago and it may be a young one. It flew from the back of the upper gardens to the mulberry tree in the middle and hung out there for quite some time.

I decided I was going to try out the video feature on my camera but spent so much time trying to figure out how to turn it on that when I aimed my camera up to try it out, the hawk was gone! And I never heard a thing.

The lower garden area was a little more active with chickadees, juncos, robins, blue jays, goldfinches, song sparrows and American tree sparrows.

Nahanton's Little Christmas Tree

2010-12-05T19:29:00.000-05:00

7:15 a.m. , 31 degrees and overcast. It felt really cold.

I had to admire this little Christmas tree growing wild in the lower gardens. It's so perfect, that I think it would be really fun to decorate it and put tiny little wrapped presents underneath for all the birds and creatures who have to tough it out over the winter.

Today was very quiet. Only our regulars were apparent. There were juncos, blue jays, chickadees, a downy woodpecker, cardinals, robins, song sparrows, nuthatches, titmice, tree sparrows, mourning doves and a white throated sparrow foraging in the leaves by the side of the path.

The pond is completely frozen over, so no ducks there now. I notice that the dock is still in the river. I thought they usually hauled it out by now.

SAVE THE DATE: The Christmas Bird Count will be held on December 19th. More details to follow.

Thanksgiving Weekend Update

2010-11-27T17:41:00.000-05:00

Nuthatch

It was 35 degrees this morning at 7:15 a.m.

I got to the park early today in hopes of seeing a deer. As I got out of the car, I thought I saw a dog with a white tail dip into the woods near the path to the upper gardens. I was hoping it was the fox, but it seemed too large. I decided not to follow it but to see if it was near the swamp area so I headed to the path near the beehives because it has a great view of the area - being high on a hill. As I stood there, I heard some crunching noises in the woods. Expecting to see a squirrel, I turned my head and saw a flash of a white tail again. It was a lone deer feeding in the brush. I got to watch it for quite some time as it meandered around the backside of the upper gardens, but it kept to the brush so I couldn't get a decent picture. Something made me wonder if it was the young deer I had seen on its own earlier in the summer down near the soccer field.

Red-Tailed Hawk

As I was watching it, I saw a flash of white wings and thought maybe our owl was present. Decided to go down near the soccer field and look in the woods near the river where I thought it might be. As I looked into the woods near the pond, I saw this large creature in the distance on a branch and hoped for an owl. However, it was a red-tailed hawk. To get a better picture I bush-wacked my way through that awful cat briar. This photo can not do its size justice. It was enormous and sat on this branch for quite some time until it became interested in something and flew off to chase it.

I ran into Haynes around 9:00. Hadn't seen him for some time. We walked the upper gardens together. Saw several tree sparrows, goldfinches, juncos, cardinals, chickadees, house finches, titmice and song sparrows. Of course we saw a few robins and blue jays as well.

Getting Cold!

2010-11-21T19:14:00.000-05:00

American Tree Sparrow

It was 35 degrees this morning at around 8:00 a.m. Partial clouds and sun, but feeling quite chilly.

Several geese were flying in small groups overhead and I think I know where they were going as I saw a large group grazing at the golf course on my way to the park! Guess the word was out about the delicious grass.

Otherwise, the lower gardens had titmice, tree sparrows, goldfinches and juncos, all hanging out together. Of course we also had a mourning dove, blue jays, robins and a male downy woodpecker.

The upper gardens were as quiet as I've seen. I don't think I even saw one bird, but I noticed that the bees have been put to bed for the winter. Each bee hive box has been covered with its insulating black rubber jacket and kept in place with a red belt!

I saw a puddle that had ice in it as well as seeing that the pond was partially frozen. The mallards were all at the far end today as well as some little birds that were darting around on the ice. Couldn't quite tell what they were - possibly sparrows. I didn't realize it was cold enough for ice. Some of the ground seemed frozen, even though that hasn't happened at my house just down the street. Microclimates are very strange.

American Tree Sparrows Back!

2010-11-14T17:32:00.000-05:00

Well, today was the first day I had to truly scrape the frost off my windshield! It was thin, but it was there. 35 degrees at around 7:15 a.m. Sunny and pleasant.

The meadow has been mowed (yesterday) and was covered in white frost as well as the edges of grasses and leaves. It was very pretty.

The upper and lower gardens were fairly quiet. There were chickadees, robins, blue jays, juncos, titmice and goldfinches.

I ran into Ian, and we both agreed, the big excitement was the reappearance of the American tree sparrows who will be wintering over here until spring. I love their little chirping noises and their indian red caps are beautiful. They were hanging out with song sparrows and goldfinches in the upper gardens, feeding on weeds on the edge of the woods. The goldfinches were a large group and outnumbered the others considerably. A single seagull flew overhead as well as a small group of crows.

I took a quick look at the pond, which is finally filled with some water and equally filled with at least 10 pairs of mallards. One pair was secluded together, resting under some branches overhanging the water but the others were very active and social. Wish I knew what they were thinking. Are they really paired up, or is this the beginning of the negotiations?

Sharpie Attack

2010-11-07T08:44:00.000-05:00

It was 41 degrees at around 7:30 a.m. this morning and overcast.

In the lower gardens, there were juncos. chickadees, goldfinches and titmice, but didn't even see a sparrow - not even a song sparrow which is most unusual.

I heard a lot of noise coming from the brush in the lower gardens that parallels Winchester Street. The blue jays were upset. And then every once in a while, I'd hear a loud squawk. Went over to check it out and found what I think must have been a sharpie (as it was not much bigger than the jays). It was absolutely on the attack. They would all fly from tree to tree and the sharpie was in hot pursuit.

I didn't have the patience to wait it out or the desire to see anything too brutal so not sure if the sharpie was successful or not.

The photo below, left, shows the jays with the sharpie silhouette in the upper right, so you can see the size comparison.

The upper gardens were also filled with juncos and chickadees and not much else, at least while I was there. Pretty quiet in general.

Bluebirds & Weekend Update

2010-10-31T15:04:00.000-04:00

Bluebirds

Saturday was quite cool at 7:30 a.m. at 38 degrees whereas Sunday was a warm 51 degrees.

I was joined by Mary Lou today and we had many of the same sightings as I had seen yesterday, so I think I'll lump them all together.

The bluebirds were there both days and were probably the highlight. I wasn't sure if there were three of four, but Mary Lou confirmed four today. I believe there were two males and two females. The males still had quite a bit of blue in them making them look very royal.

Bluebird Male

Chrysanthemums

Other interesting sightings included white throated sparrows, a savannah sparrow, a yellow-rumped warbler, juncos, ruby crowned kinglets and a hairy woodpecker. Otherwise, we saw many of our regular, year-round inhabitants: cardinals, mockingbirds, nuthatches, titmice, chickadees, song sparrows, flickers, house finches, goldfinches, bluejays, robins and mourning doves. Geese and ducks flew overhead at various times.

Look Who Blew In!

2010-10-24T13:33:00.000-04:00

Well, of course we are always looking for new migrants who blew in, but today we had a special migrant - Sue A., a previously very active member of the Newton Conservators who moved last year and travelled against the prevailing winds to land in Newton from the South instead of the North!

It was chilly this morning, but not too bad at 8:30 a.m. We walked most of the park and spent a lot of time in the upper gardens. It was nice to catch up personally and also for Sue to see the park. I think it was spring when we last saw her there.

We saw many of our regulars including robins, blue jays, goldfinches, cardinals, song sparrows and lots of juncos.

The upper gardens had many sparrows. We think we saw song sparrows, swamp sparrows, white-throated sparrows and I am almost positive that we saw Haynes' white crowned sparrow. I think I have finally learned how to identify it (at least for now). I'll probably forget by next year.

There was a bit of a commotion in the gardens with some crows that were very upset. We thought we saw something large and white that they were after but couldn't identify it. I was wondering if it might be our owl or a red-tailed hawk, but we really couldn't see it. Later, as we walked along the Charles River path, we ran into a group that had experienced a similar mobbing. They couldn't quite see it either, but a self-declared experienced birdwatcher said that he was pretty sure it was an owl of some kind. I would love it if our barred owl was in the vicinity.

We climbed up the hill to Woodcock meadow where we saw more juncos, a male downy, flickers and my first sighting of yellow rumps or butter butts as Haynes likes to call them. We also saw a couple on the path back up to the parking lot near the meadow. Sue has seen them already on Long Island. It's a little bittersweet to see them as they are among the last migrants to come through. That means winter is around the corner although I will look forward to seeing what wildlife will inhabit our park this season.

Windy Bird Walk

2010-10-16T22:55:00.000-04:00

Linda Ferraresso led a BBC walk through Nahanton Park this morning. Very windy, following yesterday's Nor'easter. Still, a good turnout and some good birds: An amazing display by a Field Sparrow at the foot of the upper garden, where there were also White-crowned Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, and a Nashville Warbler. Several Palm Warblers were hanging around too. Also flyovers by Red-tailed Hawk, Coopers Hawk, and Osprey.

Bird Walk with Jane Z.

2010-10-11T15:53:00.000-04:00

Today started out chilly as well, but warmed up quite quickly. The BBC walk was well attended with about thirteen people in all. The first person there was sitting at the entrance to Winchester Street and while he was waiting, he got to watch 2 deer.

Bluebirds

I guess I hadn't realized that the walk actually started at 8:30, so I did a little perusing in the upper gardens where myself and another birder saw three bluebirds investigating one of the nesting boxes. Made me sad the breeding season is over for this year.

We spent most of our time in the upper and lower gardens looking for unusual sparrows and others. Among some of the birds that we saw in the lower gardens were cardinals, flickers, goldfinches and house finches. A few people saw a blue headed vireo. Haynes and I somehow missed it, but luckily we had a beautiful view of one down near the soccer field, looking very much like a kinglet they way it was flitting around in the trees.

Phoebe

Jane saw a female purple finch and some people saw an osprey flying overhead. We saw a ruby crowned kinglet, some titmice, a downy woodpecker and a golden crowned kinglet. Some saw the black throated green warbler which sad to say, I missed. A beautiful phoebe was hanging out in a large tree with a beautiful yellow breast.
On the way to the upper gardens we saw a swallow overhead which is quite unusual for this time of year. I don't believe anyone could definitively identify what type it was (possibly tree?).

Palm Warbler

The upper gardens had a palm warbler, swamp sparrow and a beautiful white crowned sparrow. Otherwise, fairly quiet in the rest of the park. Haynes and I saw another beautiful phoebe in the Woodcock meadow and at the parking lot we got a great view of a palm warbler.

Bird Walk with Alison and Haynes

2010-10-10T20:33:00.000-04:00

Today was quite chilly - 38 degrees but with a clear sky and it quickly started to warm up.

We had a small group, but we had some really nice sightings.

In the lower gardens we had several sightings of one or more Nashville warblers and some ruby crowned kinglets. Several bluebirds were there as well flying from tree to tree. There were white crowned sparrows, chippers, swamp sparrows, songs and white throated sparrows.

As for the soccer area, the upper gardens and woodcock meadow, we saw a golden crowned kinglet, a deer foraging in the woods, a red-bellied woodpecker, downies, chickadees, crows, a flicker, robins, bluejays, cardinals, house finches, a mockingbird, juncos, a phoebe and a red-tailed hawk flying overhead.

Haynes and Jane decided to stay a little longer and emailed me this addendum:

"In our extension of the walk, Jane and I saw an Osprey, a Yellow-rumped warbler, and a Black-throated Green warbler. Some others showed us a photo of a Field sparrow they had just seen in the weeds below the upper garden. And we saw again the mystery sparrow in the upper garden - another White-crowned sparrow."

Tomorrow is another walk with Jane Zanichkowski from the Brookline Bird Club. Check out the Nahanton Park website for time and meeting place. Click here.

Warblers and Sparrows

2010-10-09T18:40:00.000-04:00

Today was 45 degrees at about 7:15 a.m. Pretty chilly, but a beautiful day. I decided I'd hang out in the lower gardens for a while since that's where a lot of the birds have been hanging out too.

Wild Asters

There were lots of sparrows and I was getting frustrated trying to identify them. Obviously there were songs, and I'm sure I saw some chippers, but some I just have no idea. Almost had a close encounter with our red fox. It started trotting down the lane that I was standing in between gardens and then suddenly realized I was there and turned tail. Too bad, because I thought I could get a great close up photo.

Saw a flock of crows, robins, and what I think was probably a Coopers hawk that flew from the golf course side across the parking lot. The little white wild asters are doing very well and are populating the meadow in excellent numbers. I don't remember seeing these or at least so many last year. I believe the lack of dumping this past winter has made a difference in the wildflower numbers.

Pine Warbler? (It's a Blackpoll)

Finally decided to check out the upper gardens. On the pathway up I heard a nuthatch and saw lots of chickadees, but something else caught my eye. I think it was a pine warbler (pictured left) and hopefully, someone will correct me if I'm wrong. There were several of them.

In the upper gardens were lots of sparrows and some kind of warbler or kinglet that was too quick for me to identify. Was wishing I had someone with me to help id some of what I saw but hopefully we'll some of these birds tomorrow on the bird walk with Alison and Haynes.

Pete Gilmore Bird Walk

2010-10-03T19:03:00.000-04:00

Today was a bird walk with Pete Gilmore. It was in the mid-40's this morning - pretty chilly!

We met at the Nahanton Street entrance with a great turnout of at least 18 people. We headed over to the gardens where Pete had seen some great birds on Saturday.

For some reason, today was very quiet. We weren't sure if yesterday's birds had taken off in the night on some good winds or if they were just laying low due to the cold.

At any rate, we did manage to see several interesting sparrows. Of course we saw our song sparrows, but we also saw the white throated sparrow, chipping sparrows, a savannah sparrow and some swamp sparrows.

Haynes, who had arrived early had seen 2 Coopers hawks circling around that we later saw get chased away by a mob of blue jays. I think he also saw an indigo bunting. The group saw several house finches including one very brightly colored male, cardinals, catbirds, goldfinches, mourning doves and a red tailed hawk. Also saw cormorants and swans flying overhead.

Looking forward to next weeks walk as well...

From Herons in Trees to Plant Communities

2010-09-26T18:11:00.000-04:00

The weather ranged from the 70's early Saturday morning to the high 50's this morning! Quite a variation, but luckily today felt much warmer then the temperature showed.

This weekend had all our regulars, plus some really nice sightings. Saturday included a black throated green warbler, and some white-throated sparrows in the lower gardens. Saw some interesting looking sparrows, but couldn't identify them. One house wren is still around and there seemed to be lots of titmice flitting about. Also saw 3-4 chimney swifts flying overhead and a huge flock of blackbirds.

Today, Jane and Haynes were there and we walked around together. Before they arrived, I am fairly certain that I saw a few black & white warblers in the trees right near the parking lot. Thought I saw a vireo (only because of it's eyestripe), but I think it was determined later that it may have been a chipping sparrow with strong white eyebrows. The chippers were pretty active and did a lot of chasing and diving. It was all getting a little confusing because of course the birds wouldn't sit still.

We saw chickadees, song sparrows, and apparently the juncos blew in last night because the lower gardens were covered with them. The white-throated sparrows were still there with catbirds, house wren, house finches, a phoebe, bluejays and cardinals. Haynes honed in on a towhee call, but we never located it. We also managed to see a white crowned sparrow! As we were about to head to the upper gardens, Jane spotted a blue heron flying overhead and then it landed in a large tree in the woods between the lower gardens and golf course (pictured top left). It is still hard for me to believe these large creatures can perch in trees.

In the upper gardens we saw a gorgeous male American redstart with his black and bright orange plumage. No dulled down colors for him. Also saw a red-tailed hawk flying near the forest edge.

At 10:30 was a great walk led by Jon Regosin about plant communities at Nahanton Park. Jon is extremely knowledgeable and it was amazing to learn of all the diversity we have at the park and the actual names of the plants, shrubs and trees that we see so often. We saw royal ferns, dogbane, little blue stem grass, fresh water mussels (in the river) button bush and wintergreen to name just a few.

New Arrivals Continue

2010-09-19T17:13:00.000-04:00

Today was wonderfully pleasant and cool. The feel of early fall is in the air as little drops of dew are edging most flowers and grasses early in the morning. I was only at the park a few minutes when Haynes arrived and shortly afterwards Jane appeared. Eventually a fellow named Glenn joined us as well. In a way it seemed quiet, but on the other hand we actually saw quite a lot! In the lower gardens we saw goldfinches, song sparrows, chickadees, catbirds, robins, bluejays and a common yellowthroat.

However, we had some new migrant friends such as a beautiful Nashville warbler and some Savannah sparrows (pictured right). There were several house finches and much discussion about the difference between the house finch and the purple finch. A house wren was heard scolding in the scrub and a group of cowbirds were seen high in a tree. Haynes spotted an indigo bunting which was very drab and barely a hint of blue on its sides and tail tip. A young red-tailed hawk flew right overhead and we had a wonderful look at it. Very elegant and powerful.

Jane had seen something with a white tail earlier and thought it was a fox. As we were about to head up the path, there it was - trotting across the path and then it disappeared in the brush. We have now had several sightings as has Duane Hillis who lives next door. So this is our Nahanton fox.

In the upper gardens we were excited to see that some white throated sparrows have arrived and we had a great view of a red-eyed vireo that was gorging on the grapes towards the back of the gardens. A small warbler was barely seen and Glenn thought it might be a Canada warbler, but it disappeared into the bushes and we couldn't confirm one way or the other what it was.

Jane had heard a barred owl last night outside her house in Auburndale, so we decided to take the swamp trail to see if we might see our Nahanton barred owl, but we didn't see anything.

Can't wait to see what next weekend will bring.

Yellow Chat and Exciting Weekend Updates!

2010-09-12T09:53:00.000-04:00

Early Saturday morning I ran into Ian. It was sunny and cool, but very pleasant. Together we saw a Wilson's warbler, an American redstart, a pine warbler and a female common yellowthroat in the scrub near the mulberry tree on the path to the upper gardens. Very exciting! I had never seen a Wilson's warbler before and all I knew was that this bird was bright yellow with a black cap. I looked it up and on seeing the picture, I was sure that's what I had seen! I'm so glad Ian came along and got to confirm my sighting.

Then Haynes arrived and we all explored the lower and upper gardens together. We saw our usual friends: chickadees, blue jays, catbirds, cardinals, goldfinches, robins, titmice, house finches, song sparrows and possibly a juvenile male yellow throat.

As we headed to the upper gardens, we came across 5 deer in the meadow. They were curious about us, but a little frightened, and bounded off into the woods. I think Ian saw a palm warbler and we heard and saw some very vocal white breasted nuthatches on the trees bordering the path. Haynes and Ian spotted the red fox which immediately dashed into the woods following the deer. Our friend "Lucy" the leucisistic song sparrow was on view on the fence of one of the gardens. She is one song sparrow we can keep track of. Saw mourning doves, mockingbirds and then a beautiful Coopers hawk (pictured right) circling around near the back of the upper gardens. Also saw an Eastern phoebe and another American redstart down in the soccer field area. Pond was quiet.

Today, I went early to see if I could catch the deer or the fox before the sun really came out. I was there around 6:45 a.m.. I saw another car and it had an Audubon sticker on it, so I knew another birdwatcher was nearby! It was Bev in the lower gardens. She told me a yellow breasted chat had been seen yesterday and she was hoping to see it. She also warned me that lots of birders would be coming to check it out. And so they did!

I didn't see much in the upper gardens, so I headed down below. Ran into Haynes who was hoping to see the chat. Also discovered that Mary Lou and friend were there too looking for the chat. Then Ian arrived as well. We spotted the chat in a bush in the middle of the gardens and then it flew to the brush that borders the parking lot. Got a great view of it, but couldn't get a picture. It just vanished into thin air! Eventually, everyone got to see it and we were all thrilled.

Hope this is an indicator of an exciting fall migration!

2010-09-06T10:14:00.000-04:00

Beautiful morning, still enough to make movement easy to see.
The river is still ridiculously low, but at least the cars are covered.

Mammals:
Gray fox (front left corner of upper garden)
Red fox (pond)
White-tailed Deer, fawn at W St parking lot.

Observation date: 9/6/10
Notes: Still, sun, 60 deg.

Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Warbling Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 12
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
House Wren 2
American Robin 20
Gray Catbird 12
Northern Mockingbird 1
Northern Parula 2
Yellow Warbler 1
American Redstart 5
Common Yellowthroat 2
Song Sparrow 8 song fragment
Northern Cardinal 2
Common Grackle 2
American Goldfinch 3

Blessed Relief!

2010-09-05T20:48:00.000-04:00

Finally, some nice weather!!! Humidity gone. Dry, comfortable and sunny. The birds seemed happier too. I went to the park Saturday and ran into Ian. We basically had almost the same sightings as Haynes only we didn't see the merlin or the redstart.

The low river was quite a sight - old cars and metal parts were sticking out in various places. From overflowing banks in the spring to this - it certainly has been quite a spring and summer. Ian asked one of the Charles River Canoe employees what was going on. Apparently the state had ordered a lowering of the water level in the Charles in case the hurricane should cause flooding.

Ian and I had to perform an emergency rescue with this poor dragonfly. It had gotten it's head and legs caught in this netting. At Ian's suggestion, we eased it backwards and were able to free it. It had the most beautiful coloring.

I went back today and saw a fox on the road heading toward the soccer field. It saw me and high tailed it into the woods. I think I have seen it enough times to consider it an official Nahanton Park resident.

Today saw our usual friends: blue jays, robins, mockingbirds, flickers, red-bellied, downy and flicker woodpeckers, catbirds, yellow throat females, titmice, goldfinches, song sparrows and a Baltimore oriole. I was happy to see the American Redstart down near the soccer field and I think it was a male because it was darker, but it still had the beautiful blush of yellow color on its sides.

The chickadees were having a blast with these sunflowers. It was a real party! I watched them for a long time while they socialized and performed all kinds of acrobatics as they attempted to extract the seeds from the heads.

For anyone new reading this blog, The Friends of Nahanton Park has a new website. They have a list of walks and activities this fall and it looks like a great lineup!
Click here to view The Friends of Nahanton Park Website.