April 30, 2008 by OrientSee.

Another bright windy day and the Atlantic Ocean is still keeping us cool. There were three Snowy Egrets and a Great Egret at Rosie’s Pond. The Ospreys were off the nest because two young guys were sitting on a stone right beneath the platform. I wonder if they even knew what was going on. As soon as they left, the birds were back up on the platform. I was happy to see this Goldfinch and happier still to hear his song. A Flicker was here and about along the path out to the Overlook. There was a small flock of ducks that were hard to identify in the morning glare but most were probably Teal. A Snipe exploded out of the reeds on the way to the Boardwalk. Two Yellowlegs and a Snowy Egret were out in the panne by the Boardwalk. The Egret was particularly photogenic.

A female Kestrel was hunting over the park while ten Brant were out in the creek. All in all, it was a very nice morning at Belle Isle Marsh.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 28, 2008 by OrientSee.

This morning was surprisingly dry. The rain did not start till later. One of the Osprey was up on the platform and the ubiquitous trio of crows were goofing about. Out on the path, I frightened off a squirrel from the feeder whose place was immediately taken by this Cardinal. There were Grackles about but this guy didn’t give them a chance. There were some Teal out by the Overlook. I flushed a pair of Mallards while walking over to the Boardwalk. Three Great Blue Herons were out by the creek edge while four Snowy Egrets were over on the Winthrop side. The best part of the walk was a male Kestrel who was hunting over the park. He would hover in one spot for a few minutes then move over to another close by. He dove a few times but came up with no catch. It was fun to watch him but the overcast sky made a good photo impossible. Still no warblers and I’ve yet to see any shorebirds except for the occasional Killdeer and Yellowlegs. It was great to be out before all the rains came.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 27, 2008 by OrientSee.

This is Boston, not Atlanta but these are peach blossoms. Hardly an image that calls up visions of New England and winter. At the edge of the marsh, there are many surprises. People have planted trees and flowers and we get to share the sights.

These daffodils are literally within six feet of the marsh itself.  I admire the spirit of some one who plants these for all of us to enjoy.

Yesterday there was a cleanup of a portion of the marsh. It was amazing to see the quantity of trash that was pulled out. I wonder at how many people have a problem with alcohol. Beer cans are one thing but the pint bottles and nips are the real signs of alcoholism. On the other hand it was a beautiful day and I got to look closer at a few parts of the marsh that I often walk through.  Today it was showering off and on which meant the birds were sheltering. The Ospreys are still active and on the platform. Tomorrow promises heavy rain so I probably won’t be out for a few days.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 24, 2008 by OrientSee.

Our magnolia tree up close and personal.

A Glossy Ibis. There was a small gathering today out at the Overlook panne. A Great Egret, 3 Snowy Egrets and two Glossy Ibis.  They were not in the main pool but in back of the two mounds close to the path between the Overlook and the Boardwalk. I edged around the phragmites and came up to them from the west flushing a Snipe in the process. They were slow to sense me and that allowed this photo.  A Red-tail Hawk cruised the park while I saw a Meadowlark take off and fly off towards the parking lot.  It was a warm day but not so warm as yesterday. Out in the thickets a number of small fast moving warbler types were foraging in the leaf litter. I did not get enough of a look to identify any of them. They are very fast and nervous little guys. It is noticeable now that marsh is getting much drier than usual for this time of year. We’ve had no rain for over a week which is unusual for this time of year. The pannes have not had an astronomical high tide in a while and they are beginning to dry. That’s normal for August but not April. Still it was a gorgeous day to be out.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 23, 2008 by OrientSee.

Today was a really great day. First day for the temperature to hit 80 and St. George’s Day for all us Georges.

At Rosie’s Pond a Killdeer gave a great lesson on why it’s call gave it it’s name. A Snowy Egret was poking around in the mud. Over at Palermo St and the south flats, three crows were pestering the Ospreys who were just trying to eat a fish. I was surprised to see the crows that bold. They didn’t get the fish but the Ospreys moved several times. At one point a male Ring-necked Pheasant strolled across the marsh in front of me before he realized, “Oops, there be humans here!” They are gorgeous to watch. A Great Blue Heron flew over to places beyond. At the Overlook, a small mixed flock of ducks was puttering around. The Boardwalk had the best view, 8 Glossy Ibis and 4 Snowy Egrets, including these two buddies.  A male Kestrel flew over the park towards Revere and out of sight. The Ibis were closer to the Boardwalk than I had ever seen before and that was so neat because they didn’t startle and fly off.

All in all, a great day at Belle Isle.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 22, 2008 by OrientSee.

It’s why they are called Yellowlegs.  Two of these were out by the Boardwalk as a Snowy Egret majestically sailed overhead.  A flock of  two dozen Teal were foraging in the panne by the Overlook. The Ospreys were either on the nest or feeding off some huge fish that one of them caught. They were atop a piece of timber that had washed up on the grass flats. A shy Goldfinch was hiding in a cedar tree at the parking lot in the park. Earlier I accidentally flushed a RedTail Hawk from a tree next to Rosie’s Pond. It was a good day considering that it was the middle of the day and not morning.

The following photo really needs no comment except that it was on a phone pole next to Suffolk Downs T station.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 21, 2008 by OrientSee.

The Snowy was preening himself by the side of the panne while a flock of Green-Winged Teal was busy feeding.  The day was overcast and not very warm.  One Osprey was on the nest.  A small flock of eight Snowy Egrets were moving around the marsh. A female Kestrel was joined by the male over the park.  By the boardwalk panne, three Glossy Ibis were feeding. That makes the season full for the large flashy heron family and cousins. Let Summer begin. Still no warblers though. The only bad note of the day was the first tick showed up on my neck. Tick season is not much fun. Bug spray on everything and then the inevitable self exam before the mirror to make sure. The dog gets a huge amount of attention after every walk. I had totally forgotten the nasty little creatures. Still I would rather see a Gl0ssy Ibis even at the cost of an occasional tick.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 17, 2008 by OrientSee.

Today was full of small delights. I saw my first bumblebee of the year. Not a big deal but still a grin maker nonetheless. The Osprey were fishing in the creek. Instead of diving into the water, one bird was trolling along the surface dragging its claws in the water. It didn’t seem to work but I never saw them do this before. Next up was Flicker love. The male was displaying before his lady love and she just flew off. He has his tail fanned out and was quite impressive. A string of Cormorants flew past and as their formation broke up into a muddle, they simply did a turning rejoin. When groups of planes need to get into a formation, they start turning in big circles. That makes it possible to get behind each other as you can turn inside or outside the leader’s path. I’ve done it myself and was delighted to watch the Cormorants do the same. Some human pilot obviously learned the technique by watching bird formations. A few Barn Swallows joined the Tree Swallows eating bugs over the phragmites. A few Goldfinches were in the bushes by the park gate. Finally a Double Crested Cormorant was in the creek by the bridge. He took off but first to build up speed, it was walking on water for thirty or forty feet. I wish that I could do that too. It was very impressive.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 16, 2008 by OrientSee.

The Boardwalk pan had three Snowy Egrets and six Yellowlegs on display this morning. Four Mallards rounded out the gathering.  It was great watching. Earlier while quietly looking at a pair of Cardinals feeding, I heard a terrific bang and an Osprey flew past.  I turned around and the tall snag was still vibrating from the Osprey attack. They are grabbing branches for their nest. This time I didn’t see the action but heard it.  They aren’t very gentle when it comes to tearing out a branch. It really startled me.  The weather is still nice but chilly as the sea breezes cool our shoreline location.  It’s why I still need to dress warmly for each day’s walk.  Still, clear blue skies and the brisk scent of ocean make for a great day.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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April 15, 2008 by OrientSee.

After the last few months, welcome change has arrived. Today I saw my first Snowy Egrets, two out in the Boardwalk panne. A Great Egret was landing over in the Donut. The big showboat birds are back. No herons today but a Harrier was thoroughly quartering the marsh looking for a meal. Ducks and three Yellowlegs were in the Overlook panne. The Osprey are definitely settling in. I watched this bird twice ripping branches off the tall snag and then carrying the debris over to the platform where the other Osprey was sitting. They are serious about nesting so perhaps we’ll have another fruitful breeding season here in Belle Isle. Rosie’s Thicket had a few small visitors which I could not identify but that means the warblers will soon be passing through. A bright sunny day without a cloud.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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