March Thus Far. 3-8, 10, 14 and 17, 2026

Sunday, March 8th.

It was warmer than usual so, being quite dumb sometimes, we decided to check out the local dens. Of course, we got almost two feet of snow less than a week ago, but let's look. Well, the paths were pretty treacherous so after a short hike, we just decided to just walk around the cemetery on the cleared pavement. It was rewarding because on the walk, we heard the true sign of Spring, a call of Red-winged Blackbirds. I couldn't see one, much less get the camera on one, but it still warmed our little hearts. I got a distant shot of a Wood Duck (#31) for a good consolation prize.

Tuesday, March 10th.

The temps had been amazing but this Tuesday, it was in the 60s! Andrea said I should go check the dens, so I did. No snakes yet, but I saw my first Eastern Chipmunk of the year.

And then I flipped my First of Year Redback. Actually, I flipped three but they were all really on the move so I had to grab this one and get a shitty shot as it ran away.

Saturday, March 14th

Of course, the weekend was cooler again but most of the snow was gone. We decided to go birding to see if we could get a shot of a Red-winged Blackbird. We went to the spot where Andrea took a spill last time. Most of the snow was already gone, but it was in the low 40s. The only bird I added was a Song Sparrow (#33).

Since this spot adjoins the place that holds what we call our local dens, we said "why not?"... we'd actually checked one den on the way into the park. But we were closer to a different one now and threw caution to the wind and went for it, knowing we'd fail.

We didn't. Andrea pointed out our First of Year snake, a fine Garter.

I audibly gasped when just three feet away, another Garter was out and it was posed in almost the exact same position.

We considered ourselves very fortunate. And we were. It was only 42°- 45°.

Sunday, March 15th.

We'd hoped for another day with at least a little sun. But we didn't get it. We knew that the day before we could have seen some brave turtles up basking as well as snakes, but our den spot isn't much of a turtle place. Knowing we'd fail, but hoping for the elusive Red-winged Blackbird shot, we went over to our spot in Norfolk County with the best chance for an early turtle. My car thermometer said 39°, though.

Well, I wouldn't have mentioned anything if we'd failed so, here is our First of Year turtle... a brave Spotted. It has a leech on the shell... maybe it was hoping to bake it off but there was absolutely no sun.

You never know what you'll see. You'll see nothing if you don't try.

Tuesday, March 17th.

Last night, conditions were perfect for an actual Big Night. It was in the 50s, rain had been pouring and there was a buzz in the air. But we didn't go out. I went out early in the morning the day after (about 3 hours ago, as I type) and hit the local spots to see if I could see any sign of movement. I'm not sure which ponds there get the action but I checked out three vernals and saw no salamanders, packets or eggs and I heard no Wood Frogs so my inspection was inconclusive.

I saw a very cold Leadback (first Lead!) and held him in my hand long enough to warm up and get his butt underground. (It's going to be cold tonight.)

On the way out, in a deli parking lot, there were a bunch of American Crows so I pulled in and got #34 on the year. Sharing is caring! (More like stealing, I suspect.)

That's it so far. We've heard both Red-wings and Common Grackles, so Spring is near. We blew it by not going out in the rain on Monday night where we could have seen salamanders and Wood Frogs, but what can you do? Hopefully, we'll have a decent year, but only if we actually get out and try. I plan on trying.

Ending February. 2-28-2026

We've been getting pummeled by snow. But it was a nice day on the last day of February so, after getting our taxes done, we went for a walk in the Arnold Arboretum. The temps were scrapin' 50° and it felt damn good. We saw a couple of Red-tails flying overhead at different times but never got a camera on them. I got this former bag o' bees and that's it. No birds.

Andrea was exhausted; she might be comin down with something, but I decided to go try to net a Two-lined Salamander for our first amphibian on the year. I don't like to net them when it's below freezing but it was very nice out.

I slipped in the snow, got snow down my pants and felt it melting on my butt. I slipped into the water, got double soakers and netted a couple of Two-line larvae. Here is one.

I did see one adult but I couldn't net him. These couple-of-inch critters had kicked my ass. I limped back to the car sweating, soaking, hyperventilating and all but defeated.

BUT... got a Two-line larvae. Herp #1 on the year. Suck it, Winter!

Celebrating with Feathers. Feb. 12, 14 and 15, 2026

We'd been dying to get out again for more birds but didn't want to freeze our asses off. On Andrea's birthday, which was Thursday the 12th, it was going to be over freezing so we bundled up and went over to walk along the Harbor. It's usually good for sea ducks and shore birds.

The tide was low and there was more rocky shore than we're used to but were happy to start off with some Common Eiders (#17), an easy sight for the spot.

You know, even if it was over freezing, there was still a 25-30 MPH wind and it was cold!!! These Red-breasted Merganser boys (#19) were keeping their bills warm from the wind.

This Black Duck (#21) had a lovely spot in the spillway, enjoying the clams uncovered by low tide.

We hadn't seen Brandts (#23) in a long time, not since we stopped doing the Cape Cod turtle patrols a couple of years ago. I love these guys. Cute honking was heard.

Some of nature's interesting artwork.

Do I count pigeons in my Bird Count? Why the hell wouldn't I? #24, the glorious Rock Dove, lining up nicely, looking like an ellipsis...

So, yeah... we froze but regretted nothing. We celebrated the rest of the day with good food and cake. A successful birthday experience.

For Valentine's Day, Saturday the 14th, we decided to take a walk closer to home, at the ol' park that is a filled in dump. Unfortunately, the walkway hadn't been plowed and it was slippery. We didn't see a ton of new birds (I added a Hairy Woodpecker that we got to watch a lot but my picture isn't worth sharing) but enjoyed watching some White-tailed Deer foraging not too far away. I think there were six of them.

While on the slippery path, I heard some Canada Geese honking and looked up as three birds were  coming, flying directly overheard. It was two Canada Geese and a Bald Eagle. I couldn't get a picture but it was an amazing sight. Lined up in flight next to each other, like the above pigeons. We suspect the Eagle was trying to get one of the Geese alone and tired.

Slippery yes. She lay there like a slug. It was her only defense.

Not the most fruitful of hikes but we had fun anyway.

The next day, Sunday the 15th, we decided to head back to the Harbor. A friend had photographed some sea ducks at a different spot and that ignited our interest. Oddly enough, when we got there, there weren't many birds out on the water, not even the Eiders. But we persisted and hit a couple of different spots. We saw a flock of foraging Snow Buntings (#26), a favorite of ours.

On the previous trip, I'd gotten a decent shot of a Purple Sandpiper (in at #22) but I got an even better one this trip. They (and some Dunlins) alerted me to inspect the rocks with their adorable tweeting.

This female Goldeneye (#28) shot won't win any awards but it was one of the birds we'd hoped to see.

As we were pretty much done, I went to visit a porta-toidy while Andrea went back to the car. When I was done, she was still outside the car, saying there was a bird of prey who had been chasing Rock Doves and finally had one separated that it was trying to tire out. Unlike the Eagle from the day before, the predator needed a rest as well. The pigeon hid under a car, I think. But the predator, a young Peregrine Falcon, sat right over our car and I got a bunch of nice photos.

#29, Peregrine Falcon

That was pretty exciting. We hadn't seen one in a few years.

The nature didn't end when we got home. There was a Gray Squirrel on our dumpster enjoying the remnants in a peanut butter jar. Isn't nature grand?

So, at least we're getting out a little now, getting ready for the weather to change so we can see some cold-blooded critters. Next month, I expect things to warm up enough for Wood Frogs and salamander migration. Of course, this year, who knows? But I'm ready, Andrea is ready and I'm sure the critters will be hungry!

Beginning the 2026 Bird Count. 1-10-2026

It crushed me to fail to produce a December 2025 post here. The last one I missed was February, 2012... 13 years ago. But the weather was shitty all through December, or we had other commitments. Starting 2026 wasn't much better but we finally got a day where we wouldn't freeze our asses off and could start our Bird Count.

We'd heard about a Bald Eagle and some Ravens munching on a deer carcass on a frozen local pond and it just so happened to be a part of the pond system that we've been hitting to start our counts for the last few years. So, we headed out to walk around part of "The Emerald Necklace".

Of course, we saw some Canada Geese in the field on the way to the pond but I wanted to wait for a water shot so our official first of the year is a flock of Mute Swans. Yes, I see the geese, too. Sure, Mute Swans are non-native but they're here, so eat me.

#2, a Hooded Merganser. A female was nearby as well.

We'd never seen a Green-winged Teal (#4) in this pond before.

Mallards (#5) with dirty faces. They were digging through the mud and looking pretty damn silly.

#6 White-throated Sparrow, striking a pose and maybe pooping.

We made it to the main pond and could see the carcass over on the other side, but there were no birds pecking at it. We decided to go for it and walk the whole way around but we didn't add many birds going that way. Lots of human activity.

#9, a corpulent Northern Mockingbird was one of the few along that route. The Vic Diaz of Mockingbirds.

Heading back by the Magic Tree (of Jamaica Plain), we were happy to see that someone had thrown some seed out and there were a number of bird species taking advantage of it before the Gray Squirrels moved in to take over.

We didn't hear any but were happy when a Red-bellied Woodpecker (#12) visited the tree.

The Tree is always a good spot to photograph a White-breasted Nuthatch (#15) because they actually slow down enough to grab some seed. Otherwise, it's just hop hop hop hop...

The last shot of the day was a pair of pals, a Bluejay (#16) and a Gray Squirrel (Mammal #1 on the year unless I want to count the half eaten Deer, which I don't) sharing a feast.

I didn't get a good shot, but a male Mallard was under the tree, laying down and scooping up fallen seed. Pretty damn funny.

I can't explain how good it felt to get out and see some nature. We did a little over four miles and, of course, were pretty tired after that. We've been so fat and lazy this Winter, thanks to shitty weather. Time to wake up and get out and work on birds until cold blooded things start to wake up. Hell, I still need Starling, Robin, House Sparrow... nowhere to go but up.

November

And so starts the off-season. The worst part of the year for nature viewing and living in general. Still, we do try to get a walk in whenever we're dumb enough to think we might see something. Like on November 2nd. It was a cold Sunday but the sun was supposed to come out. It did, but it remained behind clouds most of the time we were poking around our local dens.

Luckily, Redbacks are a hardy species so we were able to see one!

We went back on the following Saturday in the early afternoon. It was a dark and dismal morning but the sun came out after noon so we headed over, intent on getting a walk in if nothing else. Flips produced no salamanders and the Valley, Back-Valley and Robles' Dens all gave us nothing. Still, it was a nice day overall. Then, in between the path to Robles and Sly's den area, there was a Garter laying next to the path.

We'd seen some in the Spring in this area but never really considered it a den site. That all changed when this skinny guy just disappeared into the ground. About 15 feet away, there was another that appeared to be half in, half out, but I found the cute noggin which was hidden by a piece of wood.

Not bad. It wasn't really warm but in the sun, things were good enough. Note in those photos... they're keeping their bellies in the sun!

We checked a few more spots before the Cottonwoods dens but saw nothing. But Andrea spied this skinny mini at the Cottonwoods!

Cute overload!

We saw nothing at the Rock Wall Den so we headed back and decided to see if any frogs were up near Joe's Bridge. There were none, but we stayed there looking at the water. Then, she came...

An old bag (probably my age) came up and asked what we were looking for and we said frogs. Somehow, that triggered her snake hatred and she became very dramatic and said "as long as it's not snakes... ewww" and she shuddered. I told her that we'd been lucky and had seen three. Her drama became even louder as I explained that they were all off path (except one! shhh!) but she kept shuddering so I told her to calm down, everything here is harmless. But the drama had to go on so I said "it's all part of nature's creation" and she had to admit that yes, everything has a place. But then she had to go and say "but what about Adam and Eve? The serpent is a devil!" at which point it was no longer even a discussion based in reality. I told her "but that's just a fairy tale" as she walked off, saying it was real.

Some people actually think the Adam and Eve story really happened? I wouldn't have thought it possible, but there you go. What a twat. I should have asked her opinion on dinosaurs. I realize that I no longer have any patience or tolerance for any animal hatred anymore.

Hey... it's now November 30th and we haven't been out since the 8th. It has been shitty and/ or busy. Fuck you, November!

My, But That Ended Early 10-26-2025

We're not going to see much more this year. We went over to the dens to see if anything was up despite temps in the low 50s. In the sun, things might be brave. Well, my timing might have been off (wouldn't be the first, or even hundredth time this year) but no snakes were up. We did manage a couple of Redbacks and a Spotted, though, which is never a bad thing.

Goodbye, October. You sucked. And now on to even suckier months.

Whittling Down the Year. 10-19th and 22nd, 2025

It's the time of year when you have to take what you can get and every sighting might be your last of that particular species. We headed to a spot in Middlesex County where one October day we had about 30 snakes, mostly Garters, a few Water Snakes and Ribbons. Of course, we've never come close to repeating that but we still keep it in mind. We were in no hurry to get there as it was cold and we waited for the sun to come up. We got there noonish.

We didn't see much right away and the water levels were quite low. It wasn't until the second pond that we saw a bunch of small Bullfrogs in the edge water.

Further out on that pond, some distant Painters were basking. The sun was up and we were in shirt sleeves by now.

This guy had a caterpillar (Banded Tussock Moth?) caterpillar photobombing that I didn't notice until uploading the shot.

A few more, feeling fabulous.

A couple of huge Green Frogs were sitting next to the water. First, a female and next a male showing a massive tympanium.

We ended the day with a couple more Bullfrogs.

So, no snakes but still a handful of critters that we will not be seeing in a couple of months.

We woke up Tuesday morning (October 21st) and got Andrea ready for work. It was pouring rain. She mentioned how it looked like good Ambystoma weather out. I agreed. And by 2 PM, when the sun was poking out, I was ready to go see if she was correct. I hate to cheat on her while she's at work but it was too nice to be faithful, so I went to our den-spot to poke around.

First log flip, early in the Valley, got me a good sized Redback. Off to a good start.

Towards the back of the Valley, I flipped the first Spotted Salamander (maculatum) that I've seen at this place in a few years. Small but chubby.

None of the den-sites had shown me anything but then, crawling below one, was this good looking Garter who was also poking around. First October Garter for me.

Out at the Cottonwood den, a dark, slim Garter was out... until it saw me and vanished.

I looked at the Rock Wall den, looked for Joe at the bridge, looked up at Robles' den and saw nothing else. Circling back, the new Old Faithful log had a Redback under it.

Then, up at the rocks near the cemetery, I scored a Blue-spotted with bonus Redback.

Then, the next rock had a two-pack of Blues. A nice way to end the day.

What do you know... Andrea was right. It was a good salamander day. I feel no remorse for cheating. I needed to get out into the woods and away from this computer that shows me the badness in the world every day. I need to be in nature where I can only see the goodness (mostly).