Barrows goldeneyes.
Another springlike day. I took off in late morning with an idea I might see the Barrow’s goldeneyes Don Reimer has reported for much of the winter above the St. George River bridge in Warren Village. Already looked for them once, didn’t find them.
Black-capped chickadee.
En route under sunny skies, I began to wonder if I was overdressed in my hooded sweatshirt. Pulled over at Mainely Poultry to check for bald eagles. Spotted a couple or three, is all—most having already scattered for watery points unknown—but I did see starlings and house sparrows and crows and other small birds I couldn’t identify.
Don had reported seeing the goldeneyes just this morning, so I was hopeful. Parked, walked to the Main Street bridge, looked up river, saw three or four pair of mallards sailing along the edges out of the current—and a couple diving ducks far upstream. Likely the goldeneyes but too far away to confirm. (I could, however, confirm a handsome male hooded merganser.) Decided to drive around to the bridge at Route 90. Took a little walking near traffic, but I got me some photos of the ducks.
From Warren I headed to Beech Hill. Not many Sunday hikers despite temperatures hovering up near an implausible 60 degrees (F). Definitely overdressed at this point, I thought, as sweat beaded under my hatband. Gangs of chickadees were patrolling the hill, several singing their spring fee-bee. Last remnant bits of snow in the shady spots melting fast. The overall bronze-brown color of things astounded me—I don’t guess I’ve walked the hill much at this time of year.
Evidence of fowl.
It occurred to me that this is one of the most changeable seasons. Change is swift now—possibly swifter even than in autumn. A few short weeks ago the hill was white as a snowshoe hare; now its that rich color of hay and old oak leaves and hardwood trunks and limbs. A few short weeks hence, all will be green. But this time of thaw and mud and sky is a beautiful time of year.
Headed home from Beech Hill, I watched a pair of mourning doves fly up from somewhere and perch on a utility line.
Today’s List
Tufted titmouse
American crow
Herring gull
Rock pigeon
European starling
House sparrow
Bald eagle
Mallard
Hooded merganser
Barrow’s goldeneye
Black-capped chickadee
Mourning dove
Mature oaks.
Tags: American crow, bald eagle, Barrow's goldeneye, black-capped chickadee, European starling, herring gull, hooded merganser, house sparrow, mallard, mourning dove, rock pigeon, tufted titmouse
