I had forgotten what a wonderful vocalist Catbirds can be |
I birded with my grandson several mornings (prior post) but later in the week, the weather was just too hot for birders or birds. However, on Saturday, I went out quite early and ended up with a nice mix of species and two new life birds.
Greenbury Point, a 231 acre penisula at the mouth of the Severn River, is part of the U.S. Naval Academy land. Much of it is managed as a wildlife habitat but as you walk the paths and trails, abandoned buildings and the two 600 foot towers remind you that it once was on of the most far reaching radio transmitter complexes in the world. First built in 1918 the station was used to communicate with U.S. forces fighting in WW I. The station was used for all communications with the Atlantic Fleet in WW II, including the submarine fleet.
I was greeted by several Eastern Bluebirds and a House Finch as I parked the car. It was already hot at 6:30 A.M. as I started out and immediately, I heard several bird calls I couldn't identify. The mix of wild grasses and trees was being crisscrossed by birds and within a few minutes, I saw a flash of yellow and was able to find the bird with my glasses in the heavy foliage. A Yellow-breasted Chat -- a bird I've been looking for -- gave me a couple of decent looks and then vanished. (Later, I saw two more flirting or fighting.)
I was also noticing butterflies as I walked, since it was T-shirt weather and they were flying early. A Viceroy and a beautiful Spicebush Swallowtail distracted me.
This Blue Grosbeak is my 291st Life Bird |
Now, off to Massachusetts for a few days where I hope to bird the Parker River refuge again.
Nice. I haven't birded Greenbury Point but hope to soon. We have a resident catbird that summers with us each year and eats all the berries off the blueberry bush in the yard and a good bit of the red raspberries. I know that the catbird will show up once I see the berries vines are blooming each year. Hope you have a nice visit up in Mass where it is cooler.
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