Spring Migration!
Today’s post is combination of a couple of outings to Beech Forest in Ptown with Lorraine and my first early morning Spring outing at Bullitt Reservation in Ashfield. It is so much fun to go out this time of year to find the birds who have come up on southerly winds and have landed like gentle rain throughout our state as they make their way further north. Beech Forest and Bullitt are great places to see migrating birds - and of course the tough little things that stay all year long. Each outing was amazing!
We’ll start with Beech Forest with Lorraine…
Female Cardinal
Male Cardinal
This year we have seen and heard more Orioles than ever before…
Because Lorraine was with me… on a wide open branch we saw this beautiful male Rose-breasted grosbeak!
We came around a corner to find this stunning American Redstart - resting! They never seem to rest when I am out alone trying to photograph them! :).
Yesterday morning I went to Bullitt - a gorgeous full moon lit my way the entire drive up there - no wind and 49 degrees - absolutely perfect! As soon as I got out of the car I could not believe the amount of gorgeous birdsong - dawn’s chorus was spectacular! I heard a cuckoo immediately (my Merlin app told me it was a black-billed cuckoo) that serenaded me the entire time I was out - it was so beautiful. It kept moving throughout the morning - or maybe it was others taking turns and joining in on the fun - but I heard that gorgeous sound move about 270 degrees around me by the time I was finished - incredible! I have never heard a cuckoo for that long - I never did spot it - I was out for almost 3 hours…
This time of year the sun comes up in the perfect location right behind me as I park myself in front of a stand of bushes and trees that I know lots of birds enjoy - I totally scored! I’ll be going back as soon as I can…
I hope that you enjoy!
Yellow Warbler. Absolutely stunning… he had been singing his heart out for the longest time… behind a leaf! Finally decided to let me see him… wow!
I kept hearing this stunning male Chestnut-sided warbler singing his truly beautiful song… and again - could not spot him! Finally, like the yellow warbler had, he must have also said - ok - I’ll finally give her a chance to see me since she is being sooooo patient! :).
This Goldfinch did not want to miss out on the magical morning light!
The Chestnut-sided flew from the shadows right in front of me!
This last shot is of that same male Chestnut-sided warbler - he put on a show for the longest time while singing his heart out 90% of the time! Now that is the way to start a day!