an unusual feeding flock

Except for one Northern Waterthrush on the edge of the marsh, I didn't see or hear a single warbler this morning but the usual chickadee-and-titmouse feeding flock had Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, a handsome male Baltimore Oriole still in breeding plumage, a female or juvenile Scarlet Tanager and, of all things, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Last night there were Chimney Swifts overhead at dusk in Riverhead.

Goldenrod is late this year but there is a stand of Rough-stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) blooming just off the property. Also Rose Mallow is in bloom but, alas, our marsh is too salt-tidal for this native and spectacular hibiscus (most of the ones around are garden plants, often white with red centers).

Mole diggings are everywhere and there are two families of deer with seven or eight individuals including antlered stages, does and spotted fawns. The threat these pose to our garden is, fortunately, non-existant since we don't garden.

Eric Salzman