Jan. 5th, 2025
We took a walk around a nearby pond to start our year. As often happens, the Canada Goose was our first bird on the year, #1 with a bullet.
We watched this Gray Squirrel acrobatically grabbing some buds from a tree.
#4, a House Finch. I think I missed out on these last year.
A cool tree with someone doing espionage behind it.
We found a fallen tree that someone had thrown some bird seed around so we stayed there and saw many different species enjoying the free food.
#8 Carolina Wren
#9 American Robin, sitting there looking like an orange tennis ball.
#11, White-throated Sparrow. Another one I'd missed in 2024.
We wound up with 13 birds for our first day of the bird-count. Not too bad.
January 12th was a freezing cold Sunday but we took a walk around a local Arboretum in hopes of seeing some birds. Our targeted feeders were not there so we didn't have much luck but we managed to check off two more species before calling it a day.
#14, a Red-bellied Woodpecker working on a hole.
#15, a Turkey Vulture in flight.
The following Saturday (1-18-2025) it was sunny and warmer so we decided to check a spot on Boston Harbor where we get to see sea ducks and stuff. It sounded good on paper, but it was FREEZING!!!!! The wind was whipping off the water and bit right through our clothes. We kept it quick. A couple of bung-puppies were actually parasailing out there. We did see a number of critters, though.
#18, Snow Buntings. Always a favorite and 2024's last bird.
#20, Purple Sandpiper.
#22, a Red-breasted Merganser was bobbing out in the distance.
#23, a pair of Dunlins.
We'd seen a bunch of Norway Rats flitting around this spot a few years ago at low-tide and no sooner had I mentioned that than we saw one up on the walking path (oblivious to all humans walking or jogging by!) scrounging some clam-shells for lunch.
That's Mammal #2 already!
#24, a Song Sparrow showing you just how windy it was.
So, we end January with a bird-count of 26. Not a horrible start to the year. We're eagerly looking forward to some warmer weather and our first reptiles and amphibians of 2025. Yes, we're getting older and lazier and more sore, but we still love to get out and see whatever nature we can. This is year SIXTEEN of Hit Me With Your Nature Stick. No point in stopping now, is there?
