Eastern Screech Owl & w.w Crossbill

Exploring West Newbury today, my buddy Davey & I came across a gray screech owl sleeping in the mid day sun. I think this is the same bird others have viewed judging by some of the pictures I've seen . A few Crossbill's were at Salisbury, it is the least amount I've seen there since they began coming this winter. I think high winds today kept the bird numbers down.

Snowy Owl & other such not

Casey & I spent the weekend in Maine; Wells, York, and Kennebunkport area. Some interesting birds; Crossbills, Siskins, a Common Raven, and the highlight a Snowy Owl. A few Snowy's have been spotted along the Maine coast, and I was hoping to catch one while up there. The owl was out in the middle of the Harbor on a small "island" or pile of rocks... from what I could tell. Very odd location, the bird was waaayyy out there, but still great to see.

Later today upon my return to Plum Island Casey & I caught a Rough-legged Hawk, a few hundred Dunlin & Sanderlings at lot 5 and Barred Owl in the reserve.

To give a idea of how far out the Snowy was....

A white blob is the best the lens could muster 

Barred Picture by Casey

                                     
                                                  Late flock of mixed Dunlin & Sanderlings

W.W. Crossbill on cones

Long-eared Owl

Another Long-eared owl today, what an amazing week!!!! I have to say though, given the location of this bird, I have to question if it's doing well. On a small tree snag 3 feet off the ground. I hope it makes it.

keichousaurus

Well I have the best wife in the world. Who gets you a dinosaur ? The condition of the fossil is incredible, its a perfect skeleton. It has replaced my original Audubon collection book as the new coolest thing I own.

 Keichousaurus -  is a genius of marine reptile in the pachypleurosaur family, which went extinct at the close of the Triassic period. About 220 + million years ago. The name derives from Kweichow, an achient provience in China. 

Keichousaurus, like all sauropterygians, was highly adapted to the aquatic environment. Individuals of this genus ranged from 15 - 30 cm in length, and had both long necks and long tails, with elongated, five-toed feet. The pointed head and sharp teeth in this genus also indicate that they were fish- eaters.

Long Eared Owl

A quick stop by Salisbury Reserve yielded an amazing bird. A  long eared owl was tucked into a small conifer. Second time seeing this species ever for me...so...I was psyched. The Salisbury reserve is so weird, I almost never see anything there, but when I do it seems to be awesome. Damn you Salisbury, damn you. 

Coop

Had a cooper's hawk sit still for a second, which doesn't happen to often. Also hundreds of crossbills back again at Salisbury Reserve. And lastly a quick stop in the Parker, I found a small group of doe's who apparently avoided getting blasted in the annual deer culling a few days prior.

Deer thinking: please don't shoot me

Merlin

Hit the Salisbury Reserve this afternoon with my sister. A few raptors milling around. A Coopers Hawk, and a very cooperative Merlin were making runs at various birds. Also a number of Crossbills still present.