Today, I decided to go birding starting in Norfolk. From here I went to rt 7 south, and turned east on Barnes Rd to under Mt rd. Seems most the berry crop that was so prolific here in December has mostly been consumed by the Robins, Waxwings and so that were here in numbers last month. Today, just 2 robins seen. Heading east over Canaan Mt rd, I also saw not much. I met a birder from Portland there, and we both reported how dead its been here today.
Just before rt 272 in Norfolk, I spotted 60+ REDPOLL high in an Ash tree eating buds. Didnt know they did that.
From here, went south from Norfolk on Rt 272 towards Torrington. Just before Bruley Rd, I spotted on the right 4 birds in a tree in an overgrown farm field. They were 4 PINE GROSBEAK. Getting out of the car to look, 8 more PGs joined them. In a tree just to the right were 50+ Cedar Waxwings and a dozen Robins. They were all eating from the abundant Multaflora rose below.
From here I took Bruely Rd to Winchester center, crossing over onto south rd. As I approached the cemetery, I saw a (one) - BIRD fly into one of the tall spruces; I stopped to see what it was.
At the top of the tall spruce were 3 other PINE GROSBEAK. They were all eating buds.
I was hearing other PGs calling from around me, but saw none. After 10 mins, these 4 birds flew into a Maple tree, and to my amazement, many other PGs joined the 4 in the maple from the surrounding trees, estimating 40 or more! As I scanned these new birds, I also spotted 2 BOHEMIAN WAXWING within them!
After 5 mins watching all eating buds from two maple trees, eventually they all flew off to the west in one big group, well over the 40 I had counted!( est 60?) The amazing thing to me was, how all these birds hid so well amongst the tall spruces from this observant birdwatcher
They all blended into the spruces as if they were not there. Without that one bird I spotted who flew into that tall tree, I would have passed them all by.
Way to turn a dead day into a good one...
Paul Carrier
Today, I decided to go birding starting in Norfolk. From here I went to rt 7 south, and turned east on Barnes Rd to under Mt rd. Seems most the berry crop that was so prolific here in December has mostly been consumed by the Robins, Waxwings and so that were here in numbers last month. Today, just 2 robins seen. Heading east over Canaan Mt rd, I also saw not much. I met a birder from Portland there, and we both reported how dead its been here today.
Just before rt 272 in Norfolk, I spotted 60+ REDPOLL high in an Ash tree eating buds. Didnt know they did that.
>From here, went south from Norfolk on Rt 272 towards Torrington. Just before Bruley Rd, I spotted on the right 4 birds in a tree in an overgrown farm field. They were 4 PINE GROSBEAK. Getting out of the car to look, 8 more PGs joined them. In a tree just to the right were 50+ Cedar Waxwings and a dozen Robins. They were all eating from the abundant Multaflora rose below.
>From here I took Bruely Rd to Winchester center, crossing over onto south rd. As I approached the cemetery, I saw a (one) - BIRD fly into one of the tall spruces; I stopped to see what it was.
At the top of the tall spruce were 3 other PINE GROSBEAK. They were all eating buds.
I was hearing other PGs calling from around me, but saw none. After 10 mins, these 4 birds flew into a Maple tree, and to my amazement, many other PGs joined the 4 in the maple from the surrounding trees, estimating 40 or more! As I scanned these new birds, I also spotted 2 BOHEMIAN WAXWING within them!
After 5 mins watching all eating buds from two maple trees, eventually they all flew off to the west in one big group, well over the 40 I had counted!( est 60?) The amazing thing to me was, how all these birds hid so well amongst the tall spruces from this observant birdwatcher
They all blended into the spruces as if they were not there. Without that one bird I spotted who flew into that tall tree, I would have passed them all by.
Way to turn a dead day into a good one...
Paul Carrier
