First frost

Chilly morning, but not a big burst of sparrows. Still some warblers around though. I found a Black-throated Green Warbler and this bright Pine Warbler.

Reade pointed out a Wilson's Warbler (unusual), and found Common Yellowthroat and Nashville. There were a few sparrows -- lots of White-throated Sparrows --

this cooperative Lincoln's Sparrow --

and this mystery sparrow, which I think is a Clay-colored Sparrow -- 

What do you think? 

Late September

 Some photos from late September ....

Scramble!

Plenty of kiddy action at Nahanton Park on this beautiful cool sunny morning. Let's start with this juvenile Song Sparrow.

The Eastern Bluebirds seem to have survived the heatwave...

At Duane's Lawn, four Wild Turkey hens escorted five poults ...

Up in Woodcock Meadow, this regal Eastern Kingbird was accompanied by a Warbling Vireo. 

And there were at least four Common Yellowthroats....

A big surprise was this very early White-throated Sparrow.

I didn't get a photo of the Black-billed Cuckoo, high up near Duane's Lawn. 

Spring migration continues!

Finally some sun! 

This male Eastern Bluebird was singing lustily in the lower garden. Was it the same bird as the one hanging around a box in the upper garden earlier this morning?

Bald Eagle!

Juvenile Broad-winged Hawk, over the river.

The back of the upper garden was hopping. This female Chestnut-sided Warbler 

was joined by a pair of Common Yellowthroats

and this Northern Parula. 

Fox Sparrow!

 Some nice birds on this nice January Sunday: Two pairs of Carolina Wrens 

this very calm Cooper's Hawk

and best of all this lovely Fox Sparrow at the Pond. 

Busy times

Sunday morning: The gardens were quiet - the action was elsewhere. A Hairy Woodpecker was near the river - 

At the "pond" (dry for most of the summer) there was a nice mixed flock of sparrows - Song, Whitethroated, American Tree - and this continuing beautiful male Eastern Towhee.

The other busy spot was Duane's Lawn, near the Winchester St entrance to the park. First this immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker made a brief visit - 

and then a Hermit Thrush strutted along the fence -

On my way back down to the lower garden, this Great Horned Owl flew in for a photo.

I can't resist posting this Field Sparrow from a few days ago, as well - 

Could this be a Swainson's Hawk?

Nice morning at Nahanton Park, after yesterday's rain. Becky was finding things, and later Reade. Warblers: Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green, Nashville, Black-and-white, Magnolia, and this Tennessee Warbler in the upper garden. 

While I was looking around Woodcock Meadow, this bird flew over. I didn't have my camera set right, so the pictures are even worse than usual. I thought this was a Swainson's Hawk: White wing linings and underparts, long wings, short densely barred tail, hint of throat color and hood. But in fact it's an Osprey, just holding its wings out straight in migration. 

Here are a couple more warblers: