Tree Swallow Colony at Col. Sam Smith: May 30, 2022

Tree Swallows nest in cavities of dead trees, especially those standing in water, but are attracted to nest boxes. There is a large colony at Col. Sam Smith Park and they allow very close approach.

Tree Swallow
Red-winged Blackbird (female) with Tree Swallow
Tree Swallow
Tree Swallow
Tree Swallows

At the moment, juvenile starlings are everywhere and their buzzy call fills the air.

European Starling (juvenile)s
European Starling (juvenile)
European Starling (juvenile)
European Starling (juvenile)

The beautiful Bufflehead is a bird which we see frequently in winter.

Bufflehead (male)

By May 1, most are far off en route to their northern breeding grounds. It was a surprise when one of today’s walkers announced that one was in the nearby bay and I suspected that this must be a misidentification. Not at all. A Bufflehead at Col. Sam on May 30!

Bufflehead (male)
Bufflehead (male)

Other birds:

Red-necked Grebe
Brown-headed Cowbird (male)
House Sparrow
Eastern Kingbird
Red-necked Grebe
Barn Swallow
Herring Gull
Willow Flycatcher
Barn Swallow
Gray Catbird
Barn Swallow
Ring-billed Gull
House Sparrow (male)
Common Tern
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Common Tern
Song Sparrow
Rock Pigeon
Common Grackles
Eastern Kingbird
American Robin
Red-winged Blackbird (male)
Eastern Kingbird

Today’s group:

NATURE POETRY

THE FOUR SEASONS

                              (from a teacher’s perspective.)

DECEMBER:

Snowflakes invite us:

          Nostalgia, friendship and love –

               Hard to keep marking. – J. Barbara

Miles Hearn

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