Fall wrap-up

 Some photos from October and November .... 

 A Blackpoll Warbler from Oct 15 

A very dark Savannah Sparrow from Oct 21

This very cooperative Lincoln's Sparrow also on Oct 21.

as well as this shy male Eastern Towhee

A Hermit Thrush from Nov 5 ...

and the same day this near-adult Bald Eagle soared overhead. 

Return of the Fisher

The Artemesia field was mowed yesterday, and this morning we had the first frost of the season. The only sparrows left were Song, White-throated, and Juncos. But there were a couple of male Eastern Bluebirds singing "turalee" around the upper garden, and behind it the Fisher put in an appearance! 

Cuckoo

Lots of sparrows this morning - 30 Juncos, Song, Savannah, Swamp, a few Chipping Sparrows, and a Field Sparrow. Also well hidden Gray Catbird, Indigo Bunting, and Hermit Thrush in bushy margin to the upper garden. Nice moment when a Yellow-billed Cuckoo flew overhead and was kind enough to alight briefly on a visible perch. ... 

Sparrow surprise

Today, in the lower garden, amidst throngs of Swamp and Song Sparrows, a stranger appeared: this beautiful Grasshopper Sparrow. Turns out this is not the first time I've seen this species there - but the previous sighting was 25 years ago!

Soon after finding this bird, Suzette and Ian appeared, and we spent a pleasant couple of hours. Other "good" birds - Lincoln's Sparrows and a Bay-breasted Warbler at the soccer circle (golden head, rufous patch on sides, no eyering noted). 

Nahanton Surprise 2022

Fisher Cat - Photo by Bill Fiolek

A fisher cat first spotted by Haynes this spring has been photographed by Bill Fiolek in September. Thank you Bill for letting us use your great photo on our blog. It looks like we might have a new resident at Nahanton Park! Keep your small dogs on a leash!!

Fall warblers

 Nice to be at the Park this morning - still, sunny becoming more overcast, good company - Suzette, Mary Lou, Bill - and some nice fall birds. List at  https://ebird.org/checklist/S119407459

Here are some photos -  one of three cooperative Lincoln's Sparrows -

this not so cooperative Nashville Warbler in the Upper Garden -

this flighty Myrtle Warbler that reminded me that they have white in the tail -

and this, one of quite a few Blackpoll Warblers, was one of serveral in a nice mixed flock at the soccer circle, featuring also Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireo, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green and Magnolia Warblers -

Spiza americana

 7:00 AM is a good time to be at the park. This beautiful Dickcissel was teed up at the copse between the Winchester St lot and the lower garden, performing the first syllable of its name:

Other birds allowing photographs --