Day 98

April 8, 2021

The otters are visible. 

This seems to be a male Bufflehead which is not common in New England, he seems to be a little east of his normal territory.  He did have a mate with him.  

nests 2, A, and 3

nest 5 and 8

Exceptionally cool bird day, not only did I see the Buffleheads, but the rookery was very active.  By the time I left today, around 6, there were ten adult herons and 8 nests, 2 more than Tuesday.   I wonder how real ornithologists name or number nests across years.  I've drawn a little map, but I don't know how to copy it onto the computer so I can't share my dilemma.   

Unfortunately, this photo of landing common mergansers is proof of my need for better equipment.  

And the otters were really fun to watch.  I saw the muskrat first.  They aren't afraid of me and come close, but ignore me.  The otters won't come close to the road, they play in the back.  They were with the geese today and a heron.  

muskrat

There were a lot of house sparrows in the reeds.  I saw tufted titmouse, robin, mourning dove, crow and goldfinch.

There were no bird of prey again.  They must be sitting on eggs and taking care of nests and not flying all over the hillside.  

At home I have both chirping and song sparrows nesting next door.  I saw a blue jay, starlings and crows in the yard.  The level of noise at all of the sites today was incredible.  I was overstimulated by sound.  

There are no sounds of silence in spring

Life reopening is noisy.