Barred Owl

A great time with the resident Barred Owl last night.

Merlin & Short-eared owls

We had a Merlin today by Bill Forward zipping down the road. Also a number of short-eared owls on top of stage lookout hill area. Personally I think this is where their roost is. Yesterday hit Crane beach as well, not alot of birds but a beautiful day for a hike with the Mrs !

Northern Shrike, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owls

I had a Northern Shrike, perhaps the last of the season in the Parker tonight. Also a Long-eared Owl hunting the reserve last weekend, a great bird to catch on the wing. I had only seen them perched previously. Additionally of note, a number of Short-eared Owls continue in the Reserve, at least 5 owls.  I did not muster any good pic's of the Long-eared or the short-eared but documented non the less, casey got the long-eared.

                                                                N. Shrike

                                                                Long-eared owl

                                                                 Short-eared owl

                                                              Savannah Sparrow in the yard

                                                            Far off Shrike

American Kestrel

I had a Kestrel over by the Newburyport Industrial area 2 days in a row. I am assuming the resident bird that I believe winter's here. Also a Barred owl late in the day.  Other sightings of note are Red Wing Blackbirds who are back in their spots.... singing the spring into action. 

Bad pic but...you get the idea. 

3 species of Owl

What an Owl day in the Parker. Casey & I had 2 Snowy Owls, a Barred Owl, and a Great Horned Owl. Some of the shots are a bit far out...but you get the idea. Wonderful to finally get a few Snowy's on P.I. The cooperative "Parker Red Tail" also made a few candid shots today.

Great Horned Owl nest & Red tail

A Great Horned Owl is nesting in the Parker, after checking out the nest site, I cant say I think it is a great location. The owl is overflowing out of the nest, and is in a direct path of weather.

 

Tacking Lynx

                                                                    The North woods

My dad and I went way up into Maine this weekend to track Canadian Lynx with Walnut Hill Tracking. We went out with Nick and Valerie (the owners) for a Fisher tracking course last year, and decided on the Lynx course this year. We traveled to Moosehead Lake, the gateway to the Maine Wilderness for the tracking course. From Greenville, we traveled to the "Golden Road" the Maine logging road which runs north from Maine towards Quebec. The day prior Nick and Valerie scouted the road and picked up the Lynx trail. The north Maine woods are an incredible place, and this magical creature embodies the spirit of this frozen land. I can't explain the feeling of following this animal for a day, just sharing its space for that time brought me back to everything that has fascinated me with nature for my whole life. As we followed the Lynx through the thick snow covered spruce forest, we saw sign of the other winter creatures of the area; mainly Snowshoe Hare and Spruce Grouse & Ruffed Grouse. (Lynx's main food)    

Lynx track vs. human hand 

Lynx track's 

I found it interesting how little anyone knows about this Eastern population of Lynx. Nick and Valerie  noted that much of the Lynx studies were done almost 20 years ago, when only a small Canadian /  upper Maine population of cats were present to work with. With an increasing population today there are still only 2 collared cats generating data. As such, we really have only a very limited perspective of what is happening with this species in the East. 

                                                                      frozen wetland area

                                                                         Spruce forest

                                                               Nick measuring tracks. At this point the Lynx changed it's stride and pace, for what reason ? Who knows ???

                                                                          Lynx track

                                                         Riley and Valerie checking sign

                                                    Measuring the gate of the tracks. As Lynx are studied on such a limited basis, the information gathered is extremely useful for a current understanding of size for this Eastern population.

Vigorous training was necessary for such an expedition. As with anything, we applied ourselves to long hours of technical  study prior to departure.

                                                              Leaving the woods


It was another wonderful program with Nick and Valerie. I recommend anyone I know to attend one of their courses. Such an amazing experience.

                                                    www.walnuthilltracking.com/