Birding with Andy - Morrison Farms

 Finally back out with Andy and Co.  Biggest social event in over a year.  Plus some good birds.

An Osprey

A Rose-breasted Grosbeak (surprisingly early in the season)

A Blue Winged Teal, which Andy says he's never seen in Acton.  I didn't get a good view of the blue wing unfortunately, but still a nice bird.

And a female Merganser 

Great Day at Great Meadows

Perfect birding weather at Great Meadows on Saturday.  Tons of red winged blackbirds and great blue herons, but the highlight was a pair of Virginia Rails.  I knew they were at Great Meadows, but this is the first time I've ever seen one. 

Another jackpot hit late Saturday afternoon at the conservation land near the cemetery.   This time it was a Great Horned Owl.

So no warblers yet, but a good weekend of birding.

Miss-ID

 I really think I saw a yellow warbler at Jenks today, but it seems too early.  I checked ebird and the mass email list, and neither mention any sightings yet this year.  It seems extremely unlikely that I'm the only one who saw a yellow warbler in the whole region. 

But . . . it really looked like a yellow warbler.  Not stripes, but nice and round, no black on the face.  I don't think it was a goldfinch.  It looked like the bird below.

I guess it could have been a palm.  They show up earlier and can look similar.  I definitely didn't see a red/rufus cap.  But that is not always that obvious.  

Pre-Warbler Birding

 The warblers have not yet arrived, but the red winged blackbirds have.  In droves and looking great.  

I spent some time this morning in North Acton.  Lots of activity at NARA.

Chipping and House Sparrows.

And at the top of a tree in the distance, I think I saw a Belted Kingfisher.

I couldn't see the breast, but the hair, beak, and white striped neck were clear.  

And of course there were bluebirds.

Spring

Spring has sprung.  Sort of.

Red wing blackbirds are back in force.  This morning I saw the FOY eastern phoebe, plus a red bellied woodpecker, and a white breasted nuthatch.

This afternoon in Stow was even better.  Bluebirds and tree swallows to start.

Then I saw an Osprey dive in and catch a fish.  First ever.

A minute or two later Lori and I had a perfect view of a bald eagle.