Every New Year signals the start of a new Birding year. A chance to start again... My intent this year is not to be intense about chasing birds, particularly birds that aren't life birds. I want to focus on the experience of the bird(s) not just checking the box.
The nice thing about starting a new, is that almost every bird is a new bird. Wednesday started at the Vulture roost (that was vacant the evening before) and ended up at Spray Rock Lookout in Weekapaug.
Black Vultures, Ashaway
Red-tailed Hawk
Purple Sandpiper, Watch Hill Lighthouse
Horned Grebe, Watch Hill Lighthouse
Northern Gannet, Spray Rock Lookout
Thursday morning started at Sachuest Salt Marsh in the early morning -- had two sightings of the Short-eared Owl -- one in the same place I saw it late last year and then another closer (and more surprising) nearer to Peabody beach.
Moved on to Swan Point Cemetery after the Townsend's Warbler was reported again. Although I did get a few other new birds, that Townsend's was spotted about 20 minutes after I had to leave to get to an appointment on time.
Ruby Crowned Kinglet.
Again on Friday I started looking for an Owl - this time by listening for a Northern Saw-whet Owl at Beavertail. I arrived @5:40am, but didn't hear the Owl until @6am but when it started, there was a duet. I headed up to Swan Point again but today was even less productive than yesterday -- it was seen early in the morning, but not since. Ended the day with finally seeing the Black-headed Gull that has been at Scarborough Beach for the last month or so.
Greater Yellowlegs, Succotash Marsh
Snow Bunting (First of Year), Succotash Marsh
Wild Turkey, Swan Point Cemetery
American Goldfinch, Swan Point Cemetery
Black-headed Gull, Scarborough Beach
Took a day off on Saturday to visit my Step-dad, but despite the bad weather hit the road early on Sunday. Was able to find the Lark Sparrow & Dickcissel Combo that was first found late Saturday in the pouring rain. Then found one of the four Black Crowned Night-Heron that have been hanging out in Jamestown.
Common Eider, Brenton Point, Newport
Lark Sparrow, Fort Adams, Newport
Dickcissel, Fort Adams, Newport
Black Crowned Night-Heron, Jamestown
Northern Harrier, Card's Pond Road
Bonaparte's Gull, Charlestown Breachway
First week's a Wrap -- Ended up with 112 Rhode Island Birds.
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