Saturday San and Romeo stopped by for a short visit while my husband and I were outside working in the yard. It was such a wonderful day, that we decided to take an impromptu hike through Byldenburgh County Park. We entered the park from the back entrance and immediately started our trek through the woods.
Romeo was psyched and rearing to go, as he 'dragged' us along the trail, we were hopeful that our feathered friends were out taking advantage of the beautiful day as well.
Once we started along the path we soon realized this couldn't be an official 'Birding Adventure'. Romeo was determined to 'mark' every tree, shrub, bush and blade of grass we came upon. (As you can see in the picture) Other than a few horses taking their owners for a spin, and a jogger here and there, there wasn't much activity on the ground or in the air.
Finally we spotted some ducks on the lake (I think it's a lake) which we didn't recognize at first glance. After quite a few guesses we identified them as the Ring-Necked Duck. The only problem is this Duck is not on Long Island all year round. So we must stick to our rules and not add them to our list.
Even though I consider myself a birder, and the fact that I have lived on the Island just about my entire life, and I never noticed the Ring-necked Duck before. Birding and Bonding has not only brought San and I closer, but I have learned alot these past few weeks.
Our goal was to make it to the dog park in Bldenburgh, but walk as we may it was not anywhere in sight. Poor Romeo by this time was dying of thirst, so doing as dogs do and much to San's chagrin, he was drinking from the muddy puddles. This convinced us that we should turn back before it got dark. On the way back down the path there was a noise in the bushes. Try as we might whatever it was it did not want to be seen. We at first thought it was perhaps Deer, but that we would see. Whatever it was it remains a mystery. On the long walk back we resigned ourselves to the fact that we could not add anything to our list this weekend. Then all of a sudden we both heard a bird in the woods, we finally spotted him with our binoculars and after about 15 minutes we determined that it was a Red-breasted Woodpecker which we already have on our list.
Also, one thing you should always do, even though your eyes are in the sky looking for birds, you must keep track of where you are going. This is advise San and I could have used. We got lost on the way back, only for a little while. We knew the direction we needed to go in, but we somehow missed the path we came down originally and Romeo was no help at all. Finally we made our way out of the woods and back to the car.
So until the next 'scheduled' adventure keep birding one and all.
Most of the week I have heard a cacophony of bird song, (if you want to call it song), from the Common Grackles in our area. They are distinctly non-musical. Like the Song Sparrow, each Common Grackle may have their own slight variation of the call. The call is raspy, metallic, and harsh, often ending with a high squeak. Unlike the Song Sparrow, you will usually notice several Common Grackles at a time, all singing together, but definately not in unison. Look for them in the tops of trees. In flight, the males tail feathers are vertical, like the rudder of a boat. It is very noticeable, once you are aware of it. To have a listen, please visit www.enature.com/birding/audio.asp. Once there, scroll down to "Perching Birds". Then click on "Blackbirds". Go to page 2 and click on "Common Grackle". Happy Birding!
Finally we spotted some ducks on the lake (I think it's a lake) which we didn't recognize at first glance. After quite a few guesses we identified them as the Ring-Necked Duck. The only problem is this Duck is not on Long Island all year round. So we must stick to our rules and not add them to our list. 