Red-breasted merganser.
Sort of a hazy sun this morning, about the same temperature as yesterday—possible a little cooler. The cardinal sang again early, accompanied by the titmouse and a roving pack of chickadees. For some reason, I felt compelled to bird multiple locations.
Long-tailed ducks.
About midday I headed for Weskeag Marsh. The wind gusted in the open expanse. Saw only Canada geese, mallards, and a herring gull.
Later in the day I headed for the breakwater. Close to low tide. It had gotten cloudier as the day progressed, and the wind blew steadily from the northeast. A couple pairs of red-breasted mergansers hung around the shore of the harbor side, diving. One of the males kept extending its head high in an exaggerated gesture, exposing the white of its neck. Some mating ritual, I gather.
No birds apparent on the choppy island side, but to the west were a number of long-tailed ducks, a pair of loons, and a small group of eiders. Herring gulls poked at urchins. In a nice conversation about the local bird life with a couple out walking, I mentioned it was about time for the long-tails to fly around the end of the breakwater and head out into the bay for the night. Not thirty seconds later, the first large group zipped noisily along—followed in the next several minutes by another half-dozen flocks or more.
Common loon.
On the way back, the wind seemed stronger. Oddly, crows were migrating north to south, perhaps eight or ten of them in small loose groups. One pair flew within about three feet of the chop, which seemed possibly a little risky.
From the breakwater I drove directly to Beech Hill. I was alone on the trail—alone, that is, but for chickadees, robins, and the mourning dove at the summit. The robins were hanging out in the staghorn sumac grove about half-way up, poking around in the fruit. As I passed, all but two rose and fled to the southeast behind me. There must’ve been two or three dozen of them.
This is the third straight Beech Hill hike in which I’ve heard the same four species there: black-capped chickadee, Herring gull (in the distance), American robin, and mourning dove. It’s exciting to know how soon that number will increase.
Rockland Harbor.
Today’s List
Northern cardinal
Tufted titmouse
American crow
Black-capped chickadee
Herring gull
Rock pigeon
Canada goose
Mallard
Mourning dove
Red-breasted merganser
Long-tailed duck
Common loon
Common eider
American robin
Beech Hill.
Tags: American crow, American robin, black-capped chickadee, Canada goose, common eider, common loon, herring gull, long-tailed duck, mallard, mourning dove, northern cardinal, red-breasted merganser, rock pigeon, tufted titmouse
