GSBAS Weekend Nature Walk 11/22/2015

Elizabeth A. Morton NWR Noyac NY

We had our annual pilgrimage to Morton NWR today. The early weather was warm and we had overcast skies and a brief shower. We stared down the trails and were greeted by a couple of the resident birds

The wild turkey flock was hangnig around the building complex early before most of the folks arrived. The Red-tailed Hawk seem to be there every year along the trail beginning

Further down the trail we saw a frog jump along the ground on the edge of the path. It was reddish in color and blended with the fallen leaves very well.

My field guide identified it as a "Spring Peeper", what it doing out in the fall I have no idea. And what is a walk at Morton without feeding some of the tame birds, A tufted Titmouse enjoyed it's snack

It was a good walk we did see some fall ducks, Longtails, Red-breasted Mergansers and Buffleheads on the bay, along with Common Loon and Surf scoters.

Another enjoyable and fun trip to Morton NWR.

Lets try again

Got to get back in the swing of posting, the birding has been so slow I am not motivated to do anything. After a stress test today I took a rid down along Ocean Parkway and Captree. A beautiful fall day. Cool temps, sunshine and little wind. I saw my first Horned larks of the season and a Marlin posed for atop a utility pole.

GSBAS Nature Walk 11/03/2015

With temperatures in the high sixties and bright sunshine and no wind  we started our morning birding. The birds must have slept in on such a nice day. The birding was slow to start and to finish. In the middle of the walk we took a side path and headed into a grove of Cedars. As we entered we spotted a flock of Cedar waxwings eating the berries on the cedars. Then all of a sudden an explosion of Robins, from all the trees in the area, flew over our heads and headed somewhere else. Then a Sharp-shinned Hawk flew chasing the Robins and any other bird it could get to. It was interesting to see the quick unanimous hasty exit by the smaller birds. He who hesitates is lost.