On a Lifelong Journey to Learn my Place
Bird Notes and Observations
I have noticed that the crows seem to have become especially active around our neighborhood lately. I’m not sure what they are doing, though. The black cottonwood trees are releasing their cotton now. I did not think they were native to the island, but according to the reference books I have, they are. So far, … Read more
While hiking to Indian River Falls and back yesterday, I learned what a red breasted sapsucker nest sounds like. On the way up, I had heard what I thought might be young birds begging for food, but I could not seem to locate where the sound was coming from and after a couple of minutes … Read more
Last Sunday I was on my way to the beach when I got distracted by the sound of some birds that turned out to be winter wrens. There were at least two birds, but one in particular was quite active chipping and occasionally singing the distinctive winter wren song. As I sat watching and listening, … Read more
I have heard a number of new (for me) birds in the last Month since I posted the bird list. Four I have managed to identify are: Hermit Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Tree Swallow, and American Widgeon. In addition, I have heard a number of other bird singing which I have not been able to identify.
While sitting near Indian River yesterday, a kingfisher came along. Most of the time I have seen kingfishers they have been perched on a piling or branch above the water and from there they dive into the water to catch fish. The one I saw yesterday did this, but also, as it was flying along … Read more
While down at the park today, Connor and I saw a female common merganser that seemed to be exceptionally tolerant of our presence. There were a total of three mergansers on the gravel bar when Connor and I arrived at the river’s edge. At first I only noticed a pair of mergansers that was on … Read more