We had 2 bird species today which are not commonly seen in this area.

One was in a tree:

The other was with hundreds of others in a sandy area:

Both showed some yellow with streaking on the breast:

One showed bright white on the side of the wings and the other didn’t:

Here is the one in the tree:

That orange-ish circle under the eyes identifies it as a Cape May Warbler. The other closest-to-winter records I see for this species are all in September. Here is one from May:

Here are more photos of the beach bird:

The white outer tail feathers identify it as an American Pipit. In addition, the bill is slender and the bird bobs its tail while walking which was evident today on this 0 degree, overcast morning.

Species list: mute swan, Canada goose, mallard, American black duck, gadwall,  bufflehead, red-breasted merganser, ring-billed gull, black-capped chickadee, American pipit, American robin, Cape May warbler, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, song sparrow.  (14 species)

I couldn’t resist photographing some plants showing the first snowfall of this season:

Park scenes:

This morning’s group:

NATURE POETRY

Bending above the spicy woods which blaze,
Arch skies so blue they flash, and hold the sun
Immeasurably far.                                                – Helen Hunt Jackson (1830–85)

Miles Hearn