Plum Island and Vicinity (10/21)

After my vacation day was largely wasted on Friday I decided to get out to Plum Island on Saturday. Unfortunately when we got to the island the high winds almost blew us away. But, we did the best we could to enjoy the day anyway.

We started at the Salt Pannes. There we found a nice flock of American Wigeon along with Black Ducks and and Green-wing Teal. There was also two or three Yellowlegs. As we quietly watched, a Peregrin Falcon swooped down and spooked everything up. I think that we must have seen more than one of these raptors since we saw one at almost every stop.

At the heavy equipment area we had the strangest sightings of the day. Even though it was a very cold Fall day, we spotted a Monarch and a Clouded Sulphur flying by. I also had a dragonfly which (maybe one of the Ruby Meadowhawks) resting on a bush. Another surprise was what looked to be a fresh bloom of Butter and Eggs.

We took a quick hike at Hellcat. By this time it was late morning so there wasn't too much bird activity. We did find some White-throated Sparrows in the bushes though. Plus, on the way up to the observation platform, I found another new flower with a strange name: Herb Robert. According to the Connecticut Botanical Society's entry, it is a member of the Geranium family.

We headed back to the car and drove to the end of the island. On the ocean side we didn't find too much. Only one large flock of Common Eider. On the way back, we stopped at the bird blind to check out North Pool. There we found a few Northern Pintails, Mallards, and at least one Gadwall. A Great Blue Heron crouched along the shore. As we left the blind, I think I spotted a pair of Dark-eyed Juncos.

Our final sighting of note was just before we left the refuge. In the distance I spotted a large raptor soaring high in the air. After several minutes of observation, we decided that it was a Bald Eagle. Quite a nice find.

After getting off the island, we stopped at the Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary Joppa Flats. From the observation platform one of the sanctuary employees pointed out a flock of Brant and we watched as they came in for a landing. There wasn't much elese to see there, but as we went to leave, we heard a series of kek calls and watched as two small birds fought amongst the reeds. We didn't get a good look but I'm guessing they were Clapper Rails.

Our final stop was at Cherry Hill Reservoir where we hoped to find some diving ducks. Our effort was rewarded by a lake full of birds. They were mostly Rick-neck Ducks and Ruddy Ducks but we did find one Redhead. It was the perfect end to the day.

Birds: Common Eider, Redhead, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Ruddy Duck, Northern Pintail, Green-wing Teal, Gadwall, Double-crested Cormorant, Brant, Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Clapper Rail (?), Greater Yellowlegs, Peregrin Falcon, Nothern Harrier, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, American Robin, Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Mockingbird, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Rock Pigeon, Greater Black Backed Gull, Hering Gull, Mute Swan.