A Bit of Birding On My Part

The below pics are some of the recent feathered visitors I've had -

Cardinal -

Sparrow -

European Starling -

Junco -

Bluebird and my favorite -

Sparrow, GRRRR -

Wild Turkeys -

An Anatidae Family

According to the Google machine, a group of swans can be called a bevy, a wedge, a herd, a bank, or a flight.  Since this family looks to be "grazing", they would then be referred to as a herd. There was one other just out of frame.

I took this picture while stopped at a red light the other day on my way to the mall.  Seems Fiske Pond in Natick has always had swans or at least for as long as I can recall.

The route I take to the mall is the same one I take when visiting my aunt and uncle in Framingham, so I've passed by this pond often over the past year and have watched as a spring time pair of swans arrived, built a nest and raised their young, pictured above.

All this by passing by this area in short snapshots.  It's one of the only red lights that I don't mind getting stuck at or in a hurry to get through.

A Plague Of Birds

Suppose it's just that time of the year, migration time.

Birds are on the move, many in masses too.

Admittedly, I am slow on the draw with the camera but in fairness I've not had my camera on me, so by the time I run to grab it and get back the flocks have often moved on and I miss out.

One exception was the flock of grackles that took over my front yard the other afternoon.  There were easily three times as many birds than the pic below shows.  They were in the trees above and on both sides of the house.  It's quite impressive to see SO many all together, especially when they take flight.  How they don't bump into one another is amazing.

While making diner the other night, I looked out to see about (15) wild turkeys making their way into my yard.  These birds have tremendous eyesight, so when they saw me watching they picked up their pace.  By the time I grabbed my camera and returned, this is the best shot I could get, which only shows five birds -

I am not into Ornithology, nor am I an Ornithologist or even a Twitcher for that matter but I do enjoy watching the birds that visit my place all year long.

Various Birds

Some random bird pics I've taken over the last couple of weeks.

There have been a lot of hawks visiting my backyard this spring and they're more than welcome.  Hoping they help themselves to some of the nuisance rodents in the yard.

Here is a Coopers Hawk perched on the pool fence.  An odd spot -

A white-breasted nuthatch who's onto me - 

A beautiful grey heron knee deep and on the hunt -

Da Birds!

I was quick on the draw to capture this picture of a Downey Woodpecker perched on the head of my still wet mop!

I can't imagine what it was searching for but I can tell you with 100% certainty, that my floors are NOT that dirty!

The things you might see at a red light, if you take your head out of your phone! Below is a Grey Heron, wading amongst the lily pads, in search of a meal - 

The Place To Roost

Turns out these are not the best pics, as it's hard to see all the roosting birds, so you'll need to believe me when I tell you there are about 25+ turkey vultures in it.

I noticed this quite some time ago and initially thought the birds we turkeys but soon realized they're turkey vultures.  I'm not sure what the attraction is but they roost here all the time and there are usually twice as many too.

I'm not sure how messy or how noisy they are but, so not sure I'd be too happy about them roosting in my front yard but definitely cool!

I took the following pic last evening on my way to the market.  It's a little better -

Birds and Fowl A Visiting...

Cardinal, male - 

Bluebird, male -

Bluebird, female -

Bluebird, male -

Tom Turkeys -

Hen Turkeys -

House Sparrow, female -

Chipping Sparrow, male -

Note: Picture credit goes to Emilie Frye

Suet Feeder Visitors

A variety of overwintering birds take advantage of the feed we put out when the weather turns and the cold rushes in.

A European Starling -

A Wren and a Red Bellied Woodpecker -

A Wren - 

A  Chickadee -

A White-breasted Nuthatch -

Ole Homestead Mess Hall

I filled the bird feeders last weekend.

Amazing how quickly they know they've been filled.

This Blue Jay didn't waste any time -

An Eastern Bluebird, one of my favorites made an early appearance too -

The peanut butter suet is a big hit too.  The Bluebird is keep watch and patiently waiting for the Downy Woodpecker to finish up -