clear sky over a misty morning

The rising sun pushed away the rain clouds this morning and cleared the sky, leaving only a translucent mist over the creek and marsh.

This morning's notable FOY was not a bird but a reptile: a handsome Box Turtle, a medium sized individual with a striking black and yellow carapace, complementing its neatly yellow-spotted head and forelegs. Every time I see a well-marked turtle I make up my mind to remember the pattern so I can recognize individuals. I don't think I've seen this fellow before.

I've seen Phoebes every day but only this morning did I realize that there are two of them. They frequent an area from the wooded north of the property across a neighbor's yard and then across Weesuck Avenue to the partly wooded back lot of the Aldrich Boatyard. This morning, one of the birds appeared to be carrying an insect indicating that they have a nest somewhere in the vicinity. If it actually was an insect being carried to a nest, then these birds are already feeding young which would explain their active and very visible presence in the understory where there are more insects than higher up. Phoebes are early arrivals and, like wintering birds and other early arrivals, they get an early start on nesting.

At least two singing Common Yellowthroats were on opposite sides of the property; one in the low heavy vegetation at  the head of the marsh, the other in shrubbery at the far edge of the woods on the north side. Other warblers: male and female Black-and-whites and a singing Parula.   

Eric Salzman