Category: Birds of Massachusetts

Rafts and Paddlings

A “raft” of ducks is a collective noun for a group of ducks who gather together as they float on the water. A “paddling” of ducks describes how a group moves across lakes, ponds or rivers with synchronized , graceful movements. I look forward to the March arrival of hooded mergansers at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Center soon, whether they are rafting or paddling.

This raft of hooded mergansers are diving ducks that have a serrated bill designed for catching fish. Along with other mergansers, they are the only North American ducks specializing in eating fish. They are excellent divers, and can go as deep as thirty feet.

The male hooded merganser looks like this when relaxing…

or can raise and lower a large fan-like crest or “hood” on his head like this. The crest is raised during courting or when then duck feels threatened.

Two male Mergansers with crests down…

and three paddling with crests raised.
This raft of female mergansers sports smaller crests of a cinnamon-brown shade.

The crest is sometimes described as a “punk rock hairstyle”.

Male mergansers have intense, bright yellow eyes while the females’ are brown or reddish-brown. Their eyes are specially adapted to allow them to see clearly while fishing underwater.

It can be difficult to photograph hooded mergansers, as they are shy and paddle fast. They are sensitive to sound and movement, and move away quickly when approached. I’ll be waiting -quietly -to photograph whatever fleeting moments are possible.

Bluebird Stopover

A pair of Eastern Bluebirds brightened up my snowy yard on a gray morning. The specially designed bluebird house installed for them has an opening of exactly 1.5 inches in diameter to ensure that larger birds cannot nest there. Although bluebirds often visit, and occasionally start to build a nest, they never stay through the whole season. After territorial skirmishes sparrows win out. Fingers crossed for this spring!

Holden, MA

How’s Your Heron?

It won’t be long until the great blue herons return to the Wachusett Meadow in March.

Herons are important for the environment as they act as “indicator species”. Scientists monitor heron populations to detect environmental contamination, such as toxins in the water or mercury levels in eggs, which reflects the health of the entire ecosystem.

Although they are named “great blue”, herons can look grey or brown depending on the light conditions.

This great blue heron does look blue. Herons appear bluest in low light, fog, or shadows, which reflect cooler, blue tones.

This heron is taking advantage of the All-Persons Observation Deck.

Herons are known for their exceptional camouflage, often appearing nearly invisible when perched among dead branches, or debris.

This heron can see well from high up in the tree. Its eyesight is estimated to be about three times more detailed than a human’s. From this high perch, a heron can spot small movements below.

Great Blue Herons are expert fishers, but they will eat almost anything they can catch and swallow. In a meadow, herons hunt for small mammals, which can make up a large portion of its diet, especially in winter when waterways freeze . 

The Great Blue Heron is widely considered one of the most prehistoric-looking birds alive today. While all birds are living descendants of dinosaurs, herons appear more like dinosaurs because of their large size, sharp angles and guttural sounds.

Herons possess specialized flexible necks with 19 to 21 vertebrae.

They can form their necks into an S-shaped curve which acts like a coiled, spring-loaded mechanism. This allows them to catch prey in the water with high speed and precision.

On the Ground In All Seasons

Don’t forget the bird action at ground level.

Palm Warbler

America Tree Sparrow With Red Squirrel

Bobolink

Northern Cardinal, Eastern Blue Jays and Red-winged Blackbirds

Juvenile Blue Jay

Dark-eyed Junco

American Goldfinch

Red-winged Blackbird

Grackle

White-throated Sparrows

Top Seeds

Diverse and energetic birds welcome visitors to Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. Feeders are placed just steps from the parking lot, allowing everyone to experience nature up close, no matter their mobility level.

Purple Finches and a Goldfinch

Male Purple Finch

Female Purple Finch

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Grackle

Tufted Titmouse

Evening Grosbeak

Northern Cardinal

Local Menagerie

There is no shortage of wildlife in Central Massachusetts. Here is a sample of photographs from this year.

North American Beaver
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

Tufted Titmouse
Scarlet Tanager

White-tailed Deer
Eastern Chipmunk
Red-winged Blackbird

North American Porcupine

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (With Herdwick Sheep)
Northern Cardinal (Male)

Northern Cardinal (Female)
Northern House Wren

House Finch

Eastern Bluebird

Gray Squirrel
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Female)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird ( Juvenile Male)
American Black Bear (seen in my back yard and photographed from a safe distance through the window).

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January Light

Catching the last of the afternoon sunlight at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary.

The bird blind overlooks a section of the 85 Acre Beaver Wetlands.

The Observation Platform is a popular stop for photographers.
An American tree sparrow blends in perfectly with sumac bushes.

This tree sparrow does not breed in Massachusetts, but is a common winter visitor here.

A singular northern red oak towers over the South Meadow.

A Walk Around the Barn

Meeting these common creatures on a short walk never fails to lift my spirits.

View from the All-Persons Ramp at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary.
Herdwick Sheep
Female House Sparrow
Mourning Dove
American Tree Sparrow
Male House Sparrow
House Finches
Eastern Gray Squirrel
American Red Squirrel

Bobolink Field

This spacious field is a favored walking spot for both people and dogs on leashes. However, during the late spring Bobolink nesting season, special care is taken to protect these ground-nesting birds, while still enjoying their bubbly songs and low ground flights.

Moore State Park, Paxton, MA


Birding Companions

The kind help of another photographer allowed me to see and photograph my first Bald Eagle.

Standing knee-deep in a pond in November is true dedication for any photographer!

Curiosity brought me and others to the site.
An eagle was perched high in the canopy.

Beware of the talons…

And the beak!

Browning Pond, Oakham/Spencer MA

Something Told The Wild Geese

Something Told the Wild Geese    
by Rachel Field     

Something told the wild geese     
It was time to go.     
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered,—‘Snow.’
Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned,—‘Frost.’
All the sagging orchards
Steamed with amber spice,
But each wild breast stiffened
At remembered ice.
Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly,—
Summer sun was on their wings,
Winter in their cry.

Close Up and Far Away

Female, Male and Juvenile Hooded Mergansers on the Wildlife Pond
Blue Jay and Northern Cardinal Near the Bird Feeders
Gray Squirrel Swinging in the Copse Near the Bird Feeders
Common Grackle Hunting Seeds on the Ground
Female and Male Mallard on the Far Side of the Wildlife Pond
Eastern Cottontail with a Gray Squirrel and Sparrows Near the Visitor’s Center
Eastern Towhee and Blue Jay Under the Feeders
Eastern Cottontail Close-up
Eastern Towhee Under the Bird Feeders

Feathers and Shells

Painted Turtles and Canada Geese share a sunny afternoon together at the Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton, MA.

I enjoy experimenting with the continuous shutter setting on my bridge camera.

In contrast, I use the built in close-up lens with the turtles sunning on the far side of the pond.

Did You Hear?

An Eastern Meadowlark, which is becoming rarer in many parts of Massachusetts, visited the Audubon Sanctuary recently.

“There’s a Meadowlark in the South Meadow!”
“Heads up, Painted Turtles!”
The Red-winged Blackbird, Mourning Dove and Northern Cardinal have a plan.
“Let’s go check it out!”
The Eastern Meadowlark rests in the grass.

Bluebird Picnic

Eastern Bluebirds flew into town and invited their friends for a feast at the feeders.

Male Eastern Bluebird, Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton, MA
Female Eastern Bluebird
Female Bluebird, Blue Jay, Female Cardinal

Female Bluebird, Gray Squirrel

Downy Woodpecker, Male Bluebird

Mockingbird Mix

The Northern Mockingbird at Wachusett Meadow didn’t notice me as it busily feasted on sumac.

These mockingbirds surveyed the meadow as they perched on bluebird houses. Their coloring and markings puzzled me, as they were slightly different than those in the first photographs. Birding friends: Any thoughts?

Festive Finch

A visiting House Finch brings a touch of warmth to a chilly New England landscape.

In Native American traditions, finches are associated with celebration and joy. This cheery finch also added a pop of color to my yard when it settled on a lilac branch on this chilly day.
Color coordinated with the bittersweet berries and lilac buds nearby, it shared its surroundings with a Dark-eyed Junco. The bird’s carotene based diet, found in orange and red plants, creates the bird’s startling plumage.
Being half Irish, I was especially charmed to learn that in Celtic Mythology House Finches foretell good fortune!
Good Luck!

A Symbol of Happiness

Nature can offer consolation during difficult times. I was especially uplifted to see this Eastern Bluebird during this holiday season.

For many years, it was rare to see a bluebird in Massachusetts in the winter, but in the last few years the number of bluebirds staying through the winter has grown.
The bluebird is a nearly universal symbol of happiness.

Suet Duet

Nuthatches and woodpeckers were engrossed in the suet feeders at Wachusett Meadow today. Meanwhile, the Wildlife Pond glowed with the rusty hues of late fall in Central Massachusetts.

White-Breasted Nuthatch
Downy Woodpecker
Wildlife Pond, Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, Princeton, MA

Heron Hike 2

The foliage in Central Massachusetts is becoming more brilliant each day. Swamp maples surrounding the beaver lodge at Wachusett Wildlife Sanctuary are nearly at peak color.

Meanwhile, the juvenile Great Blue Heron featured in the previous post is still roaming the sanctuary. It seems in no rush to migrate, perhaps because of the warm weather this week.

Beaver Lodge, Wildlife Pond, Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary

Juvenile Great Blue Heron, South Meadow

Heron Celebration With Bonuses

Statuary from a local yard sale celebrates the recent surprising visit of a Great Blue Heron to our Zen garden.

A few weeks ago, a Great Blue Heron graced our Zen garden for a few moments before flying into the nearby woods. We began hunting for a heron statue to commemorate that event.
Serendipitously, a friend spied a pair of small heron statues at a yard sale shortly after the extraordinary visit.
In pride of place, the first heron now stands patiently in the “reeds” of the white stone river .
The second heron found a home in the zinnia garden.
As another bonus, a pair of wandering ducks was also found at the sale.
They are energetic and curious.
We never know where the ducks will wander. Hurrah for yard sales!

Iridescence

Glistening Ruby-throated hummingbirds will be heading south for the winter soon.

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary iridescence is:

1 : a lustrous rainbowlike play of color caused by differential refraction of light waves (as from an oil slick, soap bubble, or fish scales) that tends to change as the angle of view changes
2 : a lustrous or attractive quality or effect
The Ruby-throated hummingbird is found throughout Massachusetts during the warm months. This female paused on the branch of a nearby apple tree recently, providing me with a close-up of her luminous feathers.

How I Miss Them!

A mysterious bird disease is affecting the Southern and Mid-Atlantic states.

Birdbaths in my yard, usually a focal point for visiting birds, have been turned over at the urging of Massachusetts Wildlife officials. Although not yet reported in Massachusetts, a mysterious bird disease has affected many Southern and Mid-Atlantic states. Since late May there have been numerous reports of dying birds with swollen eyes and crusty discharge, as well as neurological problems. In lieu of the bright colors and uplifting energy our feathered friends provide, I offer these digitally altered photos, hoping the birds will be back flitting around my yard soon, and in good health.

Heron Hang Out

A Great Blue Heron and its habitat.

Great Blue Heron, Wildlife Pond, Wachusett Meadow Audubon, Princeton, MA
It’s common to see a heron on or around the dead tree branches during the summer, especially during the late afternoon.
The water is unusually high due to the record-breaking rain in Central Massachusetts. Plenty of fish here to attract a Great Blue.
It can be easy to miss a heron, as they often blend in so well with their environment, and remain motionless for long periods of time.

Stopover

Whether these birds perched on bird feeders, fence posts, tree branches, or telephone wires, I’m glad they paused long enough for me to snap a photo during the past two weeks.

Baltimore Oriole
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Phoebe
European Starling
Gray Catbird
American Goldfinch
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Robin
Off to the open skies once more.