Belated Post: Birding by Ear

 

Kingfisher Chatters

On Saturday AM, July 27th, John Milhaven of Friends of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge ( www.farnwr.org ) led "friends" and some visitors on a birding walk at the refuge.  The walk was entitled: "Birding by Ear" and as the name implies it was more about identifying Avians by listening to their calls.  The walk started at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge (ARNWR) Visitor Center then down Winterberry Way to Taylor Way as far as the footbridge.  Then the walk backtracked to Otter Alley.  Harry's Way was followed to complete the loop back to the Visitor Center.

 

The highlight for most of us was hearing a Black-billed Cuckoo. New England is will within the summer (breeding) range of the Black- and Yellow-billed Cuckoos.  Unfortunately no Cuckoos were seen.  Along the way numerous other birds were heard and seen.  Here are some photos from the walk (click on the highlighted listings below to view the photos):

 

• Red-winged Blackbird (female) and Cedar Waxwing atop a tree
• Close-up of Red-winged Blackbird (female)
• Northern Cardinal (juvenile female)
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• Eastern Kingbird
• Yellow Warbler
• Close-up view of Cedar Waxwing
• Another close-up view of Cedar Waxwing
• Canada Geese
• Mallards
• Red-tailed Hawk (not positively identified but most likely a good ID
• Song Sparrow
• Eastern Phoebe
• Turkey Vulture
• Common Grackles

Other species seen but not photographed include: Pine Warbler; Green Heron; American Robin; Belted Kingfisher (me :-) ); Great Blue Herons and many more.  If  you visit FARNWR's Flicker account ( http://farnwr.org/gallery1.html ), you can see lots more wildlife from ARNWR.  Check frequently as the website is updated frequently with new Fauna and Flora.

 

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Until next time,

 

              Kingfisher