Vagrants and Spring!

In the last two weeks the entire bird landscape has changed. The first sign was a Northern Parula -- then the Ovenbirds -- the woods are alive with the sound of birds. We had one day with three rare birds - Wilson's Plover (a Florida bird), Black-necked Stilt (also dwells in Florida) & a Caspian Tern (just early -- but marked as rare).

Sunrise at Succotash

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Bald Eagle

Greater Yellowlegs

Glossy Ibis

Greater Yellowlegs

American Black Duck

Snowy Egret

Great Egret

Quonnie Breachway

Sunset that I saw instead of the Wilson's Plover - My Rare Bird notification isn't sounding on my phone - so I missed the bird, but this was a fabulous consolation prize!

But the next morning...

Wilson's Plover - a special Rarity and a new state bird for me!

So Yesterday I missed the bird, (Wilson's Plover at Quonnie) today I got it -- saw it three separate times and only got so-so photos. BUT I got two more thanks to Jessica - the pond where she lives was hosting a Black-Necked Stilt & a Caspian Tern. When I arrived I only knew about the Stilt, but the first thing I saw was a large tern/small gull with a full black head . But I kept looking for the Stilt. It flew by very quickly being chased by a pretty persistent Crow. Lots of photos because watching it evade the crow was quite fun! That along with time spent with other birders -- A great morning!

Wesquage Pond

American Crow chasing Black-Neck Stilt (another Rarity)

Black-neck Stilt photobombs Caspian Tern

Black-necked Stilt

Double-crested Comorant, Caspian Tern & Black-necked Stilt

The Crow is back...

Caspian Tern

Black-necked Stilt

Moonstone Beach Road

Northern Harrier

Red-shouldered Hawk

Dark-eyed Junco

Wood Duck

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

New Woodpecker hole - not done yet

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Tree Swallow

Northern Flicker

Tree Swallow

Northern Mockingbird

Tree Swallow

Greater Yellowlegs & Dunlin

Tree Swallow

Willet

Osprey

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Wilson's Plover (again)

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Wilson's Plover & American Oystercatcher

Ram's Tail Road

Chipping Sparrow

Wilson's Plover

Broad-winged Hawk

Turtle

Barred Owl

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Purple Martin

Broad-winged Hawk

Eastern Towhee

Black-crowned Night Heron

Common Loon

American Oystercatcher

Black-bellied Plover

Today was a reminder of why I love birding. Gorgeous Day -- I give it an 11. Three new year birds and lots of reunions with my birding compatriots. Everyone is excited about the migration starting. Plus last night I had a Zoom call with about a dozen birders to talk about questions they had on how to approach Spring Migration - every energizing. Tomorrow morning I am leading a Car Birding Tour on Jamestown Island -- a very birdy week!

Shickasheen Farm

Solitary Sandpiper

American Robin

Succotash Marsh

Least Sandpiper

American Robin

Least Sandpiper

White-rumped Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper

White-rumped Sandpiper

Atlantic Avenue

Willet

Beavertail State Park

American Goldfinch

Mallard

Hermit Thrush

Swam Point Cemetary

Red-tailed Hawk

White-throated Sparrow

Wild Turkey

Tillinghast Pond

Wood Duck

Eastern Phoebe

A fellow Ocean State Bird Club member invited me to her home in North Stonington , CT because she has a resident Louisiana Waterthrush in the stream that runs next to her driveway.

I did not see the bird today, but I was overwhelmed by the property -- it is wonderful and I'm invited back whenever! See Photos from the part of the property you can see from the driveway...