Plum Island 1/7

I went back to Plum Island again this weekend. I'm in a bit of a rut but at this time of the year there isn't much activity unless you go to the coast. As I drove in the main gate, I was welcomed by three female Northern Harriers (plus one bird of prey that I couldn't identify) all working the area near parking lot 1. What a sight! I brought me back to the first time that I can remember ever seeing a harrier. It was at Wellfleet Bay Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary a number of years back. The bird came up on us so quickly as I walked with my parents along the water. It glided so smoothly just barely clearing the grass. Then stopped abruptly and dove for a vole. If you've never seen one, it is quite an amazing sight. That one encounter totally rekindled my love of animals.

So, it was fantastic to see some many harriers in one place. Over the course of the day, I must have seen at least four. But, since they spend so much time huntings, its hard to know for sure.

Unfortunately, other than the harriers, I didn't see too much more. The wind was up and it was frigidly cold and that might have kept everything in the shelter. I missed the Short Eared and snowy Owls but I got all three species of Scoter (Surf, White Winged, and Black). In the water there was also Common Goldeneye, Red Necked Grebe, Common Eider, and Purple Sandpiper. Land birds included Mockingbird, Tree Sparrow, Robin, Chickadee, and a large flock of Starlings. I'm sure that there were others but I've forgotten (I need to start writing down my records).

Plum Island is really a wonderful place. If you plan on visiting and are interested in what kind of birds that you might see, you can check out Tom Wetmore's Recent Sightings on Plum Island and Vicinity. Its a great resource.