Back to Shelburne (this time in the morning!)

Wednesday

34 degrees Fahrenheit, sunny, and a light breeze, the day proved to be a beautiful day for birding. Shelburne Bay housed the location of my exploration once again! This time, at 6:40 in the morning, I enjoyed the sun which tends to be rare lately and a solidarity that I have all too much of right now. Truly, spring has sprung! The egg-bud of a Shagbark Hickory peeped out some pubescent first leaves, raspberry vines sprouted green, and unidentified spotted two-inch leaves littered the ground on the entire walk.

Immediately after arriving, a Mourning Dove called from a perch and dispersed the sounds of spring onto the parking lot.

Suddenly, I heard an incessant raptor’s call and he or she was carrying a fish in their talons!! Is that an osprey I spied? Or a falcon? Anyway, the bird landed on the platform on a post and presented the fish to his or her partner. “Awww! He brought her breakfast!” Promptly, she rejected it and sent him flying away with the fish in talon still. What was up with that behavior?! Upon returning home and consulting the ever-reliant Sibley’s Guide to Birds, I believe the pair that I spied was indeed an Osprey. Awesome.

Walking along the inlet, I saw four pair of Common Mergansers. On my way back that way, I heard them yell at something and it made me laugh out loud! Their quack is truly something else! Perhaps it can be described as “extra-ducky.”

At 7:08 AM, I wrote in my notebook “Who do Canada Geese constantly yell when they fly overhead so incessantly?” At the time, Sparrows’ and Chickadees’ melodic calls and chirps lulled me into a stupor until suddenly – the terrifyingly loud, nails-on-a-chalkboard abrupt, constant-as-rain-in-spring-in-Vermont quacks of the aforementioned species spooked me back to reality. Terrifying.

I heard many woodpeckers from many calling and hammering for ten minutes in some hemlocks. Finally, two Downy Woodpeckers showed themselves only to disappear just as quickly as they showed themselves.

I heard a Nuthatch (Red- or White-breasted? I’m not so sure thanks to the funny sun behind the bird’s perch!) and not long after saw the individual scurrying around an ancient hemlock. It was lovely to see such a small life force finding a friend on such an ancient one, especially since their lives seemed so equivalent.

Not long after, I saw a Hairy Woodpecker on the neighboring birch. His slightly larger body and long beak said “hello, I’m a Hairy Woodpecker.” To prove the point, he gave a little call! Woodpeckers’ calls always make me smile! For some reason, their calls don’t seem to match the brute hammering of trees that they are also capable of.

A Blue Jay called as he soared through some pines, announcing his presence.

On my way back to the parking lot, a hoard of Turkey Vultures sat on some branches. Oh my goodness! THEY’RE HUGE! I knew that of course, but it always is shocking! Six of them ruffled feathers in the sun, shuffled feet, shifted to a new spot on the trees, overall just hung out happily and enjoyed the sun.

I saw a person enjoying the Turkey Vultures from across the way. We made eye contact and waved. Some of the most meaningful human interaction I've had in a while. Blessing!

Arguably the most important take away from the day was that I learned that I could, for the rest of my life, hear nothing other than the calls, tweets, songs, and voices of Black-capped Chickadees and be content. Walking near the Turkey Vultures, there was a corridor of more Chickadee voices than I could count. I’m incredibly thankful for their brilliance and their willingness to share their songs with passersby.

Posted on 15 April, 2020 15:40 by claudia-sacks claudia-sacks

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

Observer

claudia-sacks

Date

April 15, 2020 08:09 AM EDT

Description

A red head! A black body! Very large (~1.5-2 feet long)!

Photos / Sounds

What

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Observer

claudia-sacks

Date

April 15, 2020 06:44 AM EDT

Description

Striped head, large, white chest. Hooked beak.

Photos / Sounds

What

Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)

Observer

claudia-sacks

Date

April 15, 2020 07:47 AM EDT

Description

Egg in a Basket!

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