Everybody loves the sunshine

                Out for a drive with the Mrs. we found our friend enjoying the warm weather.

Northern Hawk Owl

Soo every year I try to see a Hawk Owl in some god forsaken frozen northern town, and every year I fail to find a bird. Not this year people !!! I took off from Plum at 4:30am, early bound for Waterbury Vermont. The bird was easy to locate, and only one other person around. I watched the Owl via scope on a far off snag for a while, then it took off into the forest. At this point I decided to sit in the car for a bit to warm my  frost bitten feet.  After some de-thaw I got out of the car to relocate the bird...and it litterally flew directly at me ! It landed, and perched in a tree not more than 10 feet away just starring at me. Super cool and super comical, Hawk Owls are... hilarious.  Overall an unreal birding experience....such a great trip. My buddy Forest also made an appearance from near by Pittsfield to check out the bird.   Nemesis bird no longer.

                                                                         Far off

                                                  Sometimes you have an itchy head...

Short-eared Owl's

A dusk 2 Short-eared Owls hunted the north field of the Parker. The 2 birds stuck to high altitudes and the sides of the field vs. their normal low hunting style. On the sideline a Snowy sat and watched, the short-eared were quite cautious of their large white relative and did not go out in the open much. Great to see these owls back, love watching them. Also a Merlin and pair of Northern Harriers coursed the field, a pretty active place tonight !

                                                          Coming in for a landing

When a Snowy eats you

                                      Red-breasted Merganser eaten by the one of the resident PI Snowy's.

                                                                  A far off Merlin

On the way to work

                                                   2 Snowy's on the way to work today.

       

Predator tracking with Walnut Hill

So yet another wonderful tracking course with Nick and Valerie out in the beautiful Quabbin water shed. The focus was apex predators and their cohabitants, my personal target species were; Eastern Coyote, Fisher, and Bobcat. We of course saw a lot more tracks of the other animals in this ecosystem , but in particular we found some great Coyote tracks, as well as Bobcat. We explored the signs of this mixed deciduous and coniferous forest habitat, and shared a few moments with some of its unseen residents. Normally I write a lot more, but I've been writing so much for work, that a picture recap of some of the day will have to do this time around. As always it was a amazing time with Nick & Valerie, I encourage all who have a love of the natural world around them to share a special moment with them. I find my ethos and how I share and experience the world around me fits hand in hand with the views and teachings of Nick and Valerie, as such  I look forward to these trips and spending time with them each year.       http://www.walnuthilltracking.com

                                                         Shores of the Quabbin

                                       Active signs of Beaver in the swamp areas on our trek

                      Nick and Valerie collecting some data.  Measuring Bobcat tracks, sizing the animal and interpreting its behavior.

                                        Beautiful brook with Bobcat tracks in the middle

                                                                Bobcat tracks

                                          Nice rocky overlook, possible hangout for Bobcats.

                                                     Moose sign - moose scrape

                                                        Nick leading the masses

                                              Pileated Woodpecker excavations

                                         Master Riley out on the frozen Quabbin Shore

                                                       Prestine brook

                 Upon arriving home my resident Snowy met me on the beach the next morning.

                                         

                                         Eating a large vole above, and below "house sitting"

Eagle Festival & others

This weekend I was asked to man one of the sites for the Mass Audubon Eagle Festival. I got stationed at the Deer Island, a very exciting spot if viewing Eagles. A big thanks to the crew at Joppa for including me, they are a great group of folks over there. The other co-leader Jean & I rocked Deer Island with tremendous bird cheer,  our only regret being forgetting a hibachi grill and possibly... foot warmers. Also, upon arrival I immediately slipped and fell on the ice, inadvertently outlining the non-safe standing zones for  the Eagle onlookers. 

On to the birds though...while I was on the Island we had 1 mature adult, and more than 8 + sub adults at varied ages. Not great shots but good for documentation. 

Prior to my shift at Deer Island I birded a number of places turning up some good birds, of note; Snow Buntings, and a Screech Owl. The screech has been absent from his roost all winter and I was starting to fear the worst. As such, I was quite happy to see this little guy alive and well enjoying the sun. Also a few Snowys ...which is basically an every day occurrence here.