Lady slipper time of year

Lady slipper twins

It was cloudy at 7:30 a.m. and 59 degrees. Before entering the lower gardens, I took a quick trip to see if the lady slippers were blooming and YES, they were. In some ways they are very discreet in the woods, even if they stand out in this picture. At first, I thought there were only these twins, but later I realized there were three others scattered around for a total of five. Pretty impressive - especially with such a strange winter and a couple of 16-18 degree evenings in April.

The bird excitement has definitely quieted down. There was some singing, but it seems that most of the birds are settling down to their mating and nesting duties. There were robins and warblers sitting on their nests and others in the process of building theirs. Even the tree swallows have quieted down. Some have even had their babies. The lower gardens sported yellow warblers, orioles, song sparrows, cowbirds, catbirds, house wrens and robins.

The upper gardens were similar save for a red-bellied woodpecker, goldfinches and house finches. The plots are going great guns, especially with cold weather crops like lettuces etc. and several gardeners were out working the soil, even though it was early in the morning.

Down by the pond I could hear a warbling vireo and FINALLY heard the wood thrush calling from the area near the JCC! Yay!! Actually, I ran into Ian who said there were two wood thrush and also saw the great crested flycatcher in the lower gardens. I saw a female common yellow-throat with her olivey back and bright yellow breast busily working her way through a shrub. There seem to be a lot of winter moth caterpillars and perhaps that was what she was after. A male cardinal sang and a red-winged blackbird declared itself.

Down by the river were orioles, yellow warblers and more warbling vireos but otherwise, fairly quiet. Woodcock meadow had a catbird and nesting tree swallows and I noticed a chimney swift flying overhead.

I walked the wooded path by the JCC in hopes of finding the wood thrush, but by that time it was not to be heard. However, as I neared the end, I was happy to hear my first pee wee singing off in the distance. It is such a beautiful sound.

Heard but not seen...seen but not heard...

Yellow warbler

Arrived at the park at my usual time - 7:30. It was a little chilly at 51 degrees - not as balmy as yesterday.

Tree swallows and yellow warblers were in great abundance in the lower gardens. While looking for warblers in one of the crabapples, I saw something moving in the leaf litter. It was quite a surprise to see an oven bird busily poking around with its beak. It never made a sound (seen but not heard).

Warbling Vireo

Strangely, the yellow warbler nest that we all saw last Sunday on the Mother's Day bird walk and is pictured in the previous post, has completely disappeared. What happened is all I can wonder. Luckily, some new nests have appeared which makes me feel a little bit better. It's so distressing to see all the work the little birds do to prepare the nest and make sure it is just right for their eggs and then it's just mysteriously gone. I finally spotted a rose-breasted grosbeak which was singing right over my head. It was very high up and the leaves on the tree were out, so it actually took quite some time to finally see it, but it certainly was beautiful. A couple of house wrens were singing. Our regulars of course were there - robins, catbirds, mourning doves, cardinals and song sparrows.

Red-eyed vireo

In the upper gardens, I was greeted by a very vocal Warbling vireo singing it's heart out. There were several orioles, one of which looked a little drab and disheveled. I think it's possible it was a young male. There was a group of 4 male cowbirds in a small crabapple. Caught a very brief glimpse of a common yellowthroat. It was cagey today but hopefully, there will be more chances to see it. A male ruby-throated hummingbird perched nearby and flew to the lilacs to see if there was any good nectar in the flowers. A red-eyed vireo was exploring the catkins in the oaks in the back of the gardens along with a pair of house finches.

I ran into a neighbor, Susan and we walked together to the soccer field/pond area. We could hear more than one Northern parula, but for the life of us, we never could spot them - hence part of the title "heard but not seen...". There were a few goldfinches, several yellow warblers and a female hummer as well as a red-bellied woodpecker. The star of this area today was a great sighting of a black-throated blue warbler.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

It was out in the open and very visible. Sadly, though I thought I was getting great photos, it turned out not to be so, but at least there is documentation of this beautiful bird. Down by the river Susan spotted a warbling vireo and it's nest. Woodcock meadow was fairly quiet.

There is a lot of bird excitement at this time of year. Between orioles and warblers chasing each other around, nest sitting, nest building and singing, it's quite busy at the park. I love this time of year. And it's not brutally hot. What a pleasure.

Mother's Day Bird Walk with Haynes and Alison

Mother's Day Bird Walk Group

Dire weather predictions for Sunday morning - rain, showers and clouds after a long, rainy, drizzly, raw week. However, at the last minute, the report changed and it was actually quite nice and held out until the very, very end of our walk. It was a mother's day miracle!

We had a great turnout. 19 people showed up and at this point, so many of us return from year to year that it's turning into a big reunion which only adds to the joy.

Yellow warbler testing her new nest

We started at the river and worked our way via the pond and soccer field to the lower and upper gardens. We also explored Woodcock meadow. This year was far more productive than last year with the heavy snows and extended winter. If you missed it this year, be sure to join us next year. P.S. Someone almost stepped on a perfectly camouflaged American Toad (see picture at bottom).

I'm sure Haynes' list is more complete than mine, so please check it out below!

Haynes' List:

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  2
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  3
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)  1,  soccer field
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  1
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  6
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  3

Baltimore Oriole

Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)  6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus auratus/luteus)  2
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)  1, boyscout trail
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)  4
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  3
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  15

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  8
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  X
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)  6, wing-flutter
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  2

Robin in nest

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  8
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  6
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 1,  pond
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  3
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)  1, w/btbw, boyscouts walk
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  15
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)  1, m
Palm Warbler (Yellow) (Setophaga palmarum hypochrysea)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (Setophaga coronata coronata)  15
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  3
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  4, boyscout trail

American Toad

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  3
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  6
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  1, m
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  12
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  8
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  1
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  16
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  4

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29484749

Warblers blowing in!!

Yellow Warbler Couple

Arrived at the park around 7:30 a.m. It was 45 degrees and slightly overcast.

It goes without saying that the tree swallows are in abundance but so were the yellow warblers! At first, I thought there was just one, but as I walked around it was clear there were several. It's so nice to hear them singing their "sweet" song!

Their were song sparrows, white-throated sparrows, lots of robins, a cardinal, house finches, titmice, a house wren, a blackbird couple, chickadees and a house sparrow. Gulls few overhead, and later a beautiful blue heron. In the large crabapple tree at the beginning of the path to the upper gardens was a male yellow-rump looking quite splendiferous. Turned out there were a lot of them today.

Chipping Sparrow

In the upper garden were more of the same, but also a catbird, some goldfinches and a red-bellied woodpecker. At this point, I ran into Jonathan and we walked around together. It's always nice to have company and another pair of eyes. He had had some nice sightings at Halls Pond in Brookline.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Down by the soccer field, he spotted a robin already in it's nest! It's been so cold, it's hard to imagine the urge to nest, but there it was.

The river was very active with Savannah sparrows, white-throated sparrows, chipping sparrows,
mourning doves, blue jays and cardinals etc.

Woodcock meadow turned out to be somewhat of a hot spot. As we were looking at Savannah's and juncos on the ground, Jonathan was saying that he heard palm warblers have been seen elsewhere. No sooner had he said that, then one appeared

Palm Warbler

in a bush, right in front of us! We couldn't believe it. It then joined the other birds on the ground. This isn't a great pic because it's a little hard to see it's bright indian red cap, but the warblers were quite busy.

There were several yellow-rumps in the meadow as well and there must have been at least 4 palms. A flicker was seen as well as a downy with it's red, white and black that was quite striking in the pink apple blossoms.

And when I got home I was greeted by a house wren in my yard. What a lovely ending to a great morning!

Winter doldrums are over!! Season firsts, at least for me!

Savannah Sparrow

It was 44 degrees at 7:30 a.m. Clear and sunny. A perfect day to see if any newcomers had arrived from a few weeks ago.

I was greeted by a tuftie singing high up in a tree right at the beginning of the path to the lower gardens. I was sad to see that someone had run over a small garter snake. I hate that. The tree swallows were in great abundance as well as blue jays and robins. A downy woodpecker was busy extracting seeds from a weed. Sparrows were out in full force, from this Savannah sparrow, to song sparrows to white-throated sparrows. Goldfinches were very busy foraging.

Catbird

 I saw my first catbird of the season. They're so lovable and tame. Don't seem to be the least bit disturbed by admiring birders. A cowbird couple prowled around nearby.

I headed up to the upper gardens to see what might be happening up there. A gardener was busy with spring clean up and a few bulbs had escaped and were blooming in the scrub. Nature is so interesting and beautiful. Of course, it goes without saying that there were several tree swallows and song sparrows here as well.

Cowbird

The oaks are flowering and I swear I heard some kind of high-pitched warblish sounds high up in the trees, but I couldn't catch a glimpse of them at all, so I really can't say.  The I caught a glimpse of a thrush. I think it was a hermit thrush, but possibly a wood thrush? It was very quiet so I'm leaning towards hermit, but if anyone can confirm from my picture below, it would be much appreciated.

A blue heron flew overhead. Titmice were flitting about in the woods at the back of the garden. And then I heard another first for me this spring - a house wren.

Hermit Thrush?

House Wren

I cut through the woods to head down to the soccer field. A red-winged blackbird was singing. There were two male mallards looking very bright and regal and in tandem, they would dive. Bottoms up!

Mallard Males

I always check to see how the bloodroot is doing and it's finally coming up. The bloodroot in my garden at home is always a few weeks ahead. I guess it's the shady environment where it grows at Nahanton.

The river was more active then I've seen it in a while. Surprised that I haven't seen the Eastern phoebe couple that usually starts nesting on the Nature Center eaves. Are they unhappy about the new paint job? There were red-bellied woodpeckers, downies, bluejays, song sparrows, goldfinches and possibly some warblers that again, I couldn't get a good look at.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

In woodcock meadow, I walked by a tree where I heard tiny little noises and a beautiful song. At first, I thought it was a blue-gray gnatcatcher, except the song didn't seem quite right. I know they have the "see-saw" buzz, but the little trill afterwards wasn't a gnatcatcher. That much I knew. I stood there for ages and went round and round the tree trying to see what was in there. There were several birds, but they were extremely hard to spot. Finally, I saw them! Several ruby-crowned kinglets and some of them were showing the brilliant red crown. This picture isn't great, but I was surprised anything turned out. They really don't sit still for a second.

Can't wait to go back next week and looking forward to the Mother's Day Bird Walk led by Haynes Miller and Alison Leary on May 8th at 8:00 a.m. Meet at the Nahanton St entrance.

Signs of Spring!! Fox Sparrows and Tree Swallow

Song Sparrow

Daylights Savings Time in effect today, so arrived at the park at a seemingly late 8:00 a.m. It was a little cloudy, but the sun was trying to come out and a very tolerable 51 degrees.

Song sparrows could be heard as I headed down the path to the lower gardens. I was greeted by this song sparrow (to left) singing it's heart out. As I stood by watching, I saw a white-throated sparrow on the ground under the large crabapple tree in the center but also noticed a reddish looking bird. It was busy hopping back and forth in the leaf litter. As I got a closer look, I was delighted to see it was a fox sparrow.

Tree Swallow

There were several crows flying about and a seagull passed by. Chickadees appeared looking very dapper. There were a few juncos, and I wasn't quite sure if I saw a few chipping sparrows. I could hear a red-bellied woodpecker calling from the woods. High up in the sky, there appeared to be a swallow. YES, it was
my first tree swallow of the year and it seemed to be the first and only to arrive so far.

The upper gardens had pretty much the same group of birds, but it seemed the tree swallow had finally alighted near a bird house it had it's eye on. Bet it can't wait until all its fellow swallows arrive and it can find a mate.

Fox Sparrow

The soccer field was filled with at least 19 robins. Heard my first red-winged blackbird of the season calling and saw 2 male cowbirds high up in a tree. Another red-bellied woodpecker was purring, some jays were squawking and I caught a quick glimpse of a beautiful pair of wood ducks. Too bad they're always hanging out at the far side of the pond. It's almost impossible to get a good picture. A mallard couple flew in to enjoy the pond as well.

Cowbirds

I heard a pretty song and saw a flash of reddish brown. I finally discovered another fox sparrow right above me perched on a branch resting and enjoying the sun. All told, I think there were  between 2-4 fox sparrows in this area and maybe two in the lower gardens.

As I approached the river, there was a noisy thrum of bird song. It turned out to be a huge cloud of grackles that finally settled on several trees across the river.

If you haven't been to Woodcock meadow recently, you really must come. The woodcocks have been out displaying at dusk for at least a few weeks. The Newton Conservators and Friends of Nahanton Park's joint effort to restore the meadow is going great! The City has removed several of the largest invasive white pines (one of the many Audubon recommendations). Thank yous to Marc and his staff. A small group has removed some of the large cedars and smaller white pines and it seems as if the woodcocks are loving it there. They have so much more room to take off and land.

Welcome the new year

A quick and damp walk through Nahanton Park this morning. All the Juncos and Tree Sparrows were gathered on the ice on the pond. The Fox Sparrow Mary Lou found last week was still there, near the parking lot at the upper field.