Paul Chapman
Well-known member
Well - the non-birding phase of the trip has started as my telescope is in my wife's suitcase as she is heading back today (Saturday) to leave me to my course.
Friday (yesterday) did not produce the anticipated better weather in the White Mountains. I got wet. Very wet. I could not see Cannon Mountain at all from the road let alone the top of it.
I had learned White-throated Sparrow song at Moose Bog. I had heard it once before in 1992. As I stood in the rain at Trudeau Road, I chased one along the path and into the undergrowth to confirm it. There were many things it could have been but no it was a White-throated Sparrow. A squirrel with a bright red tail - it didn't look like a Grey? - ran towards me, sat on a log and laughed loudly. Some may raise an eyebrow at such anthropomorphism but I raised my camera, it turned towards me and laughed again just to emphasise that was its purpose rather than some territorial display.
Nothing new at Trudeau Road but highlights were a drake Wood Duck, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Magnolia Warbler and Swamp Sparrow.
Back at the hotel at Lincoln, a female Peregrine circled and a White-breasted Nuthatch in the adjoining trees was a tick.
Never one to quit I decided to get another set of clothes wet and tried the Jefferson Notch Road again. I succeeded as anticipated in getting wet but failing to add any life birds though Eastern Bluebird was a trip tick.
It was time to concede defeat really. We had a rendezvous in Concord, Massachusetts at 3.00pm. We made it (just about) and met a work colleague who is an American history buff and literary buff.
He wanted to walk the town. I left my camera in the car. Birding was over. Of course, I kept my bins on me. If I'd had my camera, the photos of Downy Woodpecker and Broad-winged Hawk would have been great. Another White-breasted Nuthatch was welcome. Continued incompetence......
So to today - Saturday - a quick walk this morning at Great Meadows added Least Bittern and a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeak to the trip list. I put my faith in my newly found skill in American bird noises. I was certain that short call was Song Sparrow. I waited to see it emerge to congratulate myself - only for a Chipmunk to come out of the undergrowth, call again and laugh. Word was clearly getting around of my incompetence.
Since then a couple of tourist traps - Minute Man National Park added Hairy Woodpecker to the life list. There was a chap dressed as an English soldier on Minute Man Bridge awaiting a walk of 300 Americans. My friend and I offered to help him out - we're both from Essex and we could have reversed the result. My wife disapproved.
Walden Pond has been quiet. It is about three times the size of Billingham Pond and also has a Double-crested Cormorant. Apparently it is famous for a chap who lived self-sufficiently. He must have got an annual parking permit - it is $8 per day! I understand why he went self-sufficient though. I expected an ice cream kiosk by the pond side...
Course starts tomorrow. The rain is predicted to return later.
All the best
Friday (yesterday) did not produce the anticipated better weather in the White Mountains. I got wet. Very wet. I could not see Cannon Mountain at all from the road let alone the top of it.
I had learned White-throated Sparrow song at Moose Bog. I had heard it once before in 1992. As I stood in the rain at Trudeau Road, I chased one along the path and into the undergrowth to confirm it. There were many things it could have been but no it was a White-throated Sparrow. A squirrel with a bright red tail - it didn't look like a Grey? - ran towards me, sat on a log and laughed loudly. Some may raise an eyebrow at such anthropomorphism but I raised my camera, it turned towards me and laughed again just to emphasise that was its purpose rather than some territorial display.
Nothing new at Trudeau Road but highlights were a drake Wood Duck, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Magnolia Warbler and Swamp Sparrow.
Back at the hotel at Lincoln, a female Peregrine circled and a White-breasted Nuthatch in the adjoining trees was a tick.
Never one to quit I decided to get another set of clothes wet and tried the Jefferson Notch Road again. I succeeded as anticipated in getting wet but failing to add any life birds though Eastern Bluebird was a trip tick.
It was time to concede defeat really. We had a rendezvous in Concord, Massachusetts at 3.00pm. We made it (just about) and met a work colleague who is an American history buff and literary buff.
He wanted to walk the town. I left my camera in the car. Birding was over. Of course, I kept my bins on me. If I'd had my camera, the photos of Downy Woodpecker and Broad-winged Hawk would have been great. Another White-breasted Nuthatch was welcome. Continued incompetence......
So to today - Saturday - a quick walk this morning at Great Meadows added Least Bittern and a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeak to the trip list. I put my faith in my newly found skill in American bird noises. I was certain that short call was Song Sparrow. I waited to see it emerge to congratulate myself - only for a Chipmunk to come out of the undergrowth, call again and laugh. Word was clearly getting around of my incompetence.
Since then a couple of tourist traps - Minute Man National Park added Hairy Woodpecker to the life list. There was a chap dressed as an English soldier on Minute Man Bridge awaiting a walk of 300 Americans. My friend and I offered to help him out - we're both from Essex and we could have reversed the result. My wife disapproved.
Walden Pond has been quiet. It is about three times the size of Billingham Pond and also has a Double-crested Cormorant. Apparently it is famous for a chap who lived self-sufficiently. He must have got an annual parking permit - it is $8 per day! I understand why he went self-sufficient though. I expected an ice cream kiosk by the pond side...
Course starts tomorrow. The rain is predicted to return later.
All the best
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