Red Bellies and Brown Creepers!

25 degrees this morning and pretty overcast.

The meadow is now surrounded by more enormous snowbanks. Top soil has accidentally been dug up and lays in mounds atop snow banks or dangling from the sides. No wonder this meadow has such a hard time growing flowers.

At any rate, had a nice walk all around the park today. Since it's February, I was hoping for some mergansers in the river, but  I soon realized, the river is pretty much frozen as far as the eye can see, so that would be impossible right now. I had to control myself from walking out on the frozen river. It's awfully tempting, but I knew I shouldn't.

There seemed to be several red-bellied woodpeckers about today. They were quite vocal, but not with their purring noises - just a lot of nasal squawking. This particular one was in the upper gardens hanging out with some nuthatches.

I caught a glimpse of a brown creeper in the woods right near the bee hives. I am so excited to have finally seen one this year! Tried to capture him digitally, but no such luck. He kept moving on, ahead of me.

This cardinal (to left) was chipping away as he surveyed the upper gardens. Isn't he beautiful? There was a mockingbird nearby and I could hear the calls of the titmice but didn't get to see any. Blue jays were there as well and I'm sure many others that I didn't get to see.

The lower gardens are pretty impassable at least from the upper gardens side.

Snowshoes, Climbing Equipment and Hazmat Wear Necessary

Panorama of Snow Banks

Today was about 37 degrees at 8:00 a.m. and sunny. Between an insane work schedule the last three weeks and the continuous snow storms, I have not been able to get over to the park and I've really missed it.

Entry to Lower Gardens

With all the snow, I wasn't surprised that they started dumping at the park, but it really was a sad sight to behold. These banks are at least 15 feet high and they are also dumping in our wildflower meadow as well. Can't imagine all the crap that is in this snow that will now be in the environment here. I feel so bad for the birds and animals. I worry about what they will be eating on the ground.

Dumping in Meadow

It was tough walking around without snowshoes. Except for a few well walked paths, it was impossible to walk all around the lower gardens or some areas in the upper because the snow came up to my knees!

I did manage to see some blue jays and robins in the lower gardens as well as a large, beautiful red tailed hawk that was definitely on the prowl.

Down by the soccer fields, I heard a nuthatch and more blue jays. It is quite apparent from the prints in the snow just how many people are using this as a dog park.

Snow Tracks

Today was about 30 degrees at 7:30 a.m. 

The park was unbelievably quiet. I went for a long walk all around the gardens, the river and the pond. Not a peep or sighting of any birds. Since the snow was fresh, there was only one thing to do… Look for animal tracks.

I saw some rabbit and squirrel prints and plenty of things that I wasn't sure of, but I saw the prints pictured above and thought it was possible they were fox prints. There were no snow boot prints in the fresh snow which is why I didn't think they were from a dog.

Eventually, I took a path near the Winchester St. entrance that leads behind the little brick house. It's usually filled with briars and pretty much impassable, but today it didn't look so bad. It's here that many birds were hanging out - at least our chickadees, juncos and titmice. The titmice were busy pecking at tree bark looking for bugs and rummaging in the snow. At right is a photo of one of them as it poked it's head up after it had been rooting around in the snow looking for something good to eat.

As I took the shortcut into the lower gardens, I ran into Ian! We did the gardens together and saw very little except a partially eaten robin which was sad. Guess the hawks or something had to eat.

Fog's Rolled In!

7:15 a.m and it feels pretty warm - high 40's/low 50's.

The park is as foggy as I've ever seen it! Can hardly see ahead of you. Very atmospheric. Pretty quiet too.

The lower gardens had a crow, mockingbird, cardinal, juncos and tree sparrows. Didn't see much else.

The rest of my travels only yielded a very vocal blue jay, some chickadees performing some of their amazing gymnastics and 25 geese flying overhead.

Day After Christmas

White Throated Sparrow

It was 28 degrees this morning at about 7:15 when I went to the park.

I decided to go for a walk before the "threatened" snowstorm arrives, but it was already coming down lightly and gently - a beautiful morning for a walk.

I walked all around the park and found it extremely quiet and wondered where everyone was hiding. I'm sure they know a storm is coming!

From the upper gardens I went on the path that goes through the woods to the river. Nothing. When I arrived at the dock at the Nahanton Street entrance, I finally heard some little noises. First I saw some chickadees, then some titmice, then some juncos, and then a nuthatch. It was cute how they were all hanging out together - the brave crowd ready to tough out the snow. As I stood and watched, I finally realized that some kind person had thrown some sort of food for them on the ground and that was why they were all congregating there.

Before I knew it, several blue jays had appeared, some mourning doves, a pair of downies, a red-bellied woodpecker and the white throated sparrow pictured above.

Still no sign of the barred owl...

Oh, Nahanton Christmas Tree...

O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!

Much pleasure thou can'st give me;

O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!

Much pleasure thou can'st give me;

How often has the Christmas tree

Afforded me the greatest glee!

O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!

Much pleasure thou can'st give me.

Christmas Bird Count Today

Today was the bird count and though it was a little chilly, the weather cooperated - no snowstorms, wind or rain which made for much easier hiking than last year.

After some delicious coffee cake and hot drinks, we broke up into about five groups. Haynes was the leader for the Kennard Park, Brown and Oak Hill areas. He has the final list and tallies, so I will do my best to recall some of the birds we saw today, though nothing unusual was spotted.

Between the two areas, we saw many juncos, robins, starlings, some crows, seagulls, geese and ducks. There were carolina wrens, chickadees, titmice, song sparrows, a red-bellied woodpecker, nuthatches, a red-tailed hawk, downies, cardinals and blue jays.

As we were leaving, Haynes spotted some unusual shaped, freshly made holes in a healthy pine tree near the entrance to the Kennard, that he felt could be serious evidence of a pileated woodpecker. That would be quite exciting! May go back to investigate.