a rough local census

The most common bird on the property right now is the Tufted Titmouse. They go round in flocks of half-a-dozen to a dozen birds, feeding and calling with a whole lengthly repertoire of sounds ranging from the classic 'peter, peter' to single notes, both clear and quavery, to various buzzing chick-a-dee-type sounds. They are very acrobatic, feeding anywhere from ground level to tree tops. The flocks are probably single families or, in some cases, the joining together of families. These flocks almost always contain a few Black-capped Chickadees, and a Downy Woodpecker or two. These birds are notable for their year-round presence. There was a Hairy Woodpecker on the property today plus the other two large woodpeckers: Red-belled and Flicker. A few Blue Jays (but not many possibly due to the poor acorn crop). Both wrens -- House and Carolina -- still active. Warblers still sparse in the woods.

Eastern Kingbird appears periodically and occasionally other flycatchers show up.

The bird life of the marsh has changed drastically with just a handful of Red-winged Blackbirds still active around the edges or in the marsh itself. The Purple Martins are gone and there are only a few swallows -- mostly Barn -- left to skim for insects across the wetlands. Around the marsh edges are Yellow Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroats and American Goldfinch.

On the creek itself, the most common tern is the Royal with very few Common or Least Terns. Does this suggest a nesting failure by these last two species, normally dominant on the bay and creek? Osprey seems to be holding its own with (as far as I can tell) two birds produced by each of the two Pine Neck nests.

Eric Salzman