The big highlight from Rock Meadow today was a family of Orchard Orioles. I’ve been hoping to confirm breeding for several years now and finally succeed today.

Youngster

One of the highlights from this weekend was a Green-winged Teal that flushed and proceeded to fly circles around me for an extended period of time. Eventually it occurred to me to that when it made a close pass it was possible to get a photo. Surprisingly, a few came out.

Back from a fantastic trip to Texas. Much more coming soon, but after last year’s Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl/Ivory Gull back to back

I got another odd combo. Probably actually a bit more likely as the two birds were close together and many others made the drive from one to the next:

Believe this young Cooper’s is at least the 4th individual Accipiter in the yard this winter.

One more from the weekend.

Common Eider at Jodrey Pier. No idea what is sticking to the bird but I’d appreciate any thoughts.

The snow on Monday created some good opportunities for photographing yard birds including this American Tree Sparrow:

Tuesday 1/5: Kestrel on the way to work. Charles again at lunch. Carolina Wren and Hairy were about the only things different.

Wednesday 1/6: Cooper’s keeping everything down in the yard before work. Paine at lunch: red-belly, creeper. Sharpie in one of the trees in the courtyard at work.

Thursday 1/7: Charles at Moody St: one tagged gull. Charles at Elm St: nothing different.

Friday 1/8: Waverly Oaks Marsh had nothing so did a quick Screech-Owl run.

A nice surprise today was a presumed family group of 3 Red-shouldered Hawks (2 juvs and an adult).

That’s juv #1, which was right in front of me.

For no real reason, a winter flock of Dunlin from Plymouth Beach. And looking closer, there’s some Sanderling mixed in.

Here’s to fall starting:

Blackpoll Warbler, feeding on the ground for some reason, Lincoln, MA, September 2007. Hopefully many of these and others to come in the next couple months.