Last Friday, after spending a night down in the Boston area, I stopped off at Plum Island, near Newburyport, Mass. Plum Island is home to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and is recognized as one of the top birding hot spots on the New England coast, if not in the whole country. I've been there a few times and have thoroughly enjoyed every visit.
I got to the refuge about 7:20 a.m., and there were very few others around. In the summer, access to many of the parking lots is restricted due to the popularity of the beaches for swimming, but in the off-season birders and fisherfolk seem to be about the only ones who visit. Just after going through the refuge entrance, and paying the requisite $5.00 day use fee, I stopped off at parking lot #1 where I'd never had occasion to stop on previous visits.
From the parking lot a short boardwalk trail leads up over the dunes to the beach. Upon reaching the top of small hill and getting a view of the ocean, I immediately saw a large bird that I knew was something I'd never seen before. A quick check of my Sibley field guide confirmed my suspicion of what it was: a Northern Gannet. I had, in fact, been hoping to see my first Gannets on this trip, since I knew they visit the New England coast in the fall. After sighting the first one I realized that there were numerous others around. All were flying southward, bucking a stiff southerly wind to do so. I ended up seeing quite a few--easily over 50 altogether. I'll admit to being a bit disdainful about birders who are obsessive "listers"--who seem to care more about racking up big numbers of species seen than in spending time actually observing birds and learning about them--but I'll also admit to getting a distinct charge out of seeing a bird I've not ever seen before, and making a new entry on my Life List.
I watched the Gannets for some time. They make spectacular dives into the water in search of food! They tuck their wings back and plunge straight down, head first, making almost no splash when they enter the water. They don't stay down for long, but pop right up, and often take to the air again right away.
As I headed back to the parking lot a few sparrows flew up out of the brush along the trail. One sat on the fence rail long enough so I could get a good look at it, and identify it with some confidence as a Savannah. I've been spending some time lately on the fine points of Sparrow identification but still have much to learn! A few others flew up around the restroom/info building there, and yet another small flock was in the bushes by the entrance to the parking lot. I love the way sparrows just seem to explode out of the brush or grass in front of you as you walk! You think there are no birds around and then, all of a sudden, half a dozen or more just blossom in front of you!
As I headed back to the parking lot a few sparrows flew up out of the brush along the trail. One sat on the fence rail long enough so I could get a good look at it, and identify it with some confidence as a Savannah. I've been spending some time lately on the fine points of Sparrow identification but still have much to learn! A few others flew up around the restroom/info building there, and yet another small flock was in the bushes by the entrance to the parking lot. I love the way sparrows just seem to explode out of the brush or grass in front of you as you walk! You think there are no birds around and then, all of a sudden, half a dozen or more just blossom in front of you!
I continued to work my way down the length of the island, making stops at nearly every parking area and making forays both towards the ocean and towards the marsh. The day was very windy, and rain was expected. One of the treats of the drive was seeing three Northern Harriers working over the marsh. Two were fairly far away, but I got great looks at one of them! I saw only one other raptor all day, but it was a good one: a Peregrine Falcon! He flew past at about eye level when I was standing on a small rise overlooking the beach.
The day was fairly productive for songbirds as well. The habitat on the island is quite varied, and there is a lot of very favorable area for songbirds. Notable sightings included: Red-eyed Vireo; a couple of Towhees; a couple of Yellow-Rumped Warblers; Chickadees; lots more Savannah Sparrows; Cardinals; many, many Robins; Tree Swallows; a Red-breasted Nuthatch; a Golden-crowned Kinglet; and a Nashville Warbler. One real treat, and something I'd never seen before, was all three mimic thrushes--Catbird, Mockingbird, and Brown Thrasher--together in one location, and all visible at the same time! I was surprised to see some of these birds, like the Towhees, Tree Swallows, Thrashers, and Catbirds, still around, but I suppose they'll head south soon.
A light rain began in late morning and though I continued birding for a good while after it started, it eventually started to come down hard enough that I decided to call it a day about 1:30 in the afternoon. Altogether I logged 35 species for the day. Not a spectacular number, but quite decent. All in all a very enjoyable trip!
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