The frost was on the pumpkin (or, more accurately, on the marsh grass and shrubs) this morning and the raptors were flying. There were at least three accipters (one Cooper's Hawk, the others Sharp-shinned). The big show was a Merlin playing footsie with a bunch of crows in and around the trees at the edge of the marsh. As often as the crows tried to chase the lil' ol' Merlin, Falco columbarius would always turn the tables and go charging fearlessly after the much bigger crows.
Eventually, seemingly tiring of this game, friend Merlin whipped out over Weesuck Creek where, by some magic, it turned into an eagle! Good trick, no? This was an immature eagle which now pulled all the attention of the crows as it soared up and down the creek. I did my best to turn it into a Golden Eagle (such things are not beyond the realm of possibility) but the white markings on the brown were much too splotchy and I had to 'settle' for a young Bald Eagle. This has been the best season for Bald Eagles that I can recall with adults (always exciting) and young birds (reassuring for the future of the species).
Other activity on the creek: a single Royal Tern, at least three Greater Yellowlegs, a Great Blue Heron or two, a noisy Belted Kingfisher. On the land side, there were several Field Sparrows mixed in with the more usual Song, Swamp and White-throated. Yellow-rumps everywhere. In spite of the cold, there are several wildflowers still blooming including Evening Primrose and some white asters.
Eric Salzman
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment