by Lanny McDowell on January 4, 2010
They were also the first in quite a while on Martha’s Vineyard. They sort of had to be the first of the year, since it was the first of the year, about ten thirty in the morning.
The checklist for the Martha’s Vineyard Christmas Bird Count, which takes place tomorrow, on January fifth, due to a weather delay, says the CBC has recorded one Tundra Swan since 1999. Soo Whiting’s book, Vineyard Birds II, says tundras were seen more frequently and more regularly on CBCs up until ‘92 and then, for the most part, not seen after that. She writes, “Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are the two best places in Massachusetts where an observer might expect to see this rare visitor.” It’s only a guess, but I would be quite surprised if [click to continue...]
by Lanny McDowell on August 1, 2009
Soo and Bob and I went out to Quansoo, parking at Crab Creek and hoofing out toward the Tisbury Great Pond opening. Shorebirds of all sizes were scattered broadly over extensive exposed tidal flats inside the the cut to the sea.
Those two guys were on scopes and I was stalking feeding birds with my Canon rig. The best moments for me were hearing the Whimbrel in my sights talk to three others winging by, then lofting to meet them. [click to continue...]
by Lanny McDowell on July 26, 2009
I saw a Ruff once before in the US. It was really, really far away, through my scope at the John Forsythe NWR at Brigantine, NJ. The Reeve we saw yesterday and today in Edgartown was much easier to see, although it was very foggy at Katama and it took us a while to catch on to what we had in our sights.
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Birds are cool! Lanny
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by Lanny McDowell on July 7, 2009
The young Cooper’s Hawks at the nest near Abel’s Hill in Chilmark on Martha’s Vineyard are up and out and lounging in adjacent trees. The last time I was there, on July fifth, the female allowed herself to be seen, keeping a quiet eye on things, then audibly admonishing her brood, or maybe me, from deeper back in the oak forest. I had never seen her before. I have never seen the male; and so I have never been aware of more than one adult. Of course, I could be mistaken, if the two adults are close in size.
In the dappled light of the woods it is pretty hard to make out any of these raptors when they are still, especially if you don’t have advanced knowledge of where to look. But, boy, are they nice to watch when you do find them.
I do not really expect to find them near the nest, should I go back. There is too much to see and do … and to eat.
1st sighting of the adult female after she cruised out of the woods:
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