Almost the end of the month and we are still waiting for something exciting to happen.
This was the scene today over at Harrison Bay. Yesterday was a lovely day but unfortunately we had other commitments so couldn't get for a walk.
The day before that we had taken a walk and watched a large flock...
of mainly Cackling Geese, fly in and settle in one of the fields...
we are noticing that many of the Canada Geese are now pairing up.
Today's walk was in the other direction as they were grading the dike...
there were a couple of male Common Merganser snoozing on the beach (sort of right in the middle of this photo) but that was pretty much that except for spotting this guy...
a male Anna's Hummingbird....photo turned out pretty well considering what a dull day it was. They are promising some better weather for the weekend so maybe we will end the month with some sunshine.
Ten days since I last posted anything and I'm still waiting to have something to report! We've had some nice days.....
with the sun shining....log bay here....
Harrison Bay as well.....but birds continue to be elusive.....
The other day a number of swans joined the Canada Geese and Cackling Geese that are usually out in the fields.....
I cropped this one to show that there are Tundra Swan (one on left) as well as Trumpeter Swans still here for about another month.Usually by the end of March they have headed north.
There are a few hopeful signs that things will pick up soon...
this was the scene this morning as we managed a walk during a very brief break in the rain....the tiny dot in the far bush is one of the Red-wing Blackbirds that are now being heard calling on a regular basis and we are also starting to hear and see a few robins.
If weather improves we can start looking Tree Swallows soon as they have been known to show up as early as February 28th .....probably not this year but one never knows!
Haven't posted anything recently because there has been nothing to post! It is oh, so quiet!
With the next 4 days being the international Backyard Bird Count I'm hoping that will change but not holding my breath!
Weather has been pretty damp as well although there have been some nice days....so just to show where things are at....
this is the scene down at our boat launch....did hear a Killdeer out there the other evening. We've also been hearing Great Horned Owls in the evening.
An the general scene over at Harrison Bay. A pair of Common Loon way out there, have seen as many as 4 at a time.
there have been quite a few Canada Geese in the fields and the Bald Eagle pair are hanging about their nest.
Back up at the estuary, the recent high water has done some rearranging at the log bay....only reason the log hasn't floated away is it is chained at one end.
The weather doesn't look terribly promising but let's hope we can all get out and count some birds over the next 4 days.....hoping I'll have something to report!
February 2nd - Groundhog Day, Superbowl Sunday and World Wetland's Day - and boy do we have 'wet' wetlands!
The last day of January brought torrential rains that last for close to 24 hours, with the result that the estuary, that had been all grasslands and gravel bars, looked like this...
when we got up yesterday morning....2 1/2 to 3 feet of water over the entire area.
and it wasn't just the estuary....these are farm fields on the way to our usual afternoon walk at Harrison Bay.
Harrison Bay looked more like a muddy ocean! Wind was so strong there were huge waves out there.
Then this morning we got up to this....
yes, that is snow! Fortunately that is all we got although more is forecast for tonight. You'll note too that the water level has dropped a lot overnight as this was all under water the previous day.
Today actually turned into a lovely sunny day so another walk on the dike was in order...
much calmer out there today! Birding has been pretty quiet too, although out there you can just see...
this trio of female Common Merganser.
There are also lots of geese...most in the fields...
although a few were in the water today as well.
Oh, and look at this!
Pussy Willows!
One more sign of spring....we've had a shift in the hummingbirds in our yard....all winter we've had a male standing guard on the feeders, the last couple of days....
this female Anna's Hummingbird has taken possession of our yard. Hopefully she is thinking of nesting somewhere close by.
