1 day ago3 min read

The 2024 fun continues

Lovely morning including a visit with this bird just surveying its kingdom...

Moonstone Beach Road

Bald Eagle

One good bird moment leads to another. My friend, Barbara Sherman, went to look for the Marsh Wrens I had this morning and before she found it, she found a Least Bittern (well, actually 2) which I needed for the year. She was kind enough to wait for me to drive there @20 minutes, but of course it disappeared just before I got there. But no worries, they both came back and put on a show -- for me & Tim who spent many hours searching for a Least Bittern earlier in the year. Although its still a little chilly, it was sunny and pleasant as we watched. If every chase ended like this -- I could get into chasing, but it most assuredly does not -- again I was lucky.

Mud Pond

Least Bittern

Returned the next day and reported seeing the Least Bitterns again, but NOOOOOO -- It was American Bittern -- unbelievable! There were two American Bittern in the same area where there were two Least Bittern yesterday. I made a rookie mistake (and they were far away) and initially identified the American as Least. Since I posted a photo, someone quickly corrected me, but I am still scratching my head as to what caused the Bittern-palooza at Mud Pond today. I didn't see the Least Bittern again before I left, but they have been seen most of the day and in fact I'm told a third bird joined the two from yesterday. In December, Wow! I'm delighted when I see any one of these birds, there were FIVE! Here are the American Bittern...

Mud Pond

American Bittern

The next day dawned raining and foggy. But the December new-bird-fest continued today, despite the very gloomy weather and fog coming in late in the day. I went out to get groceries and for a perfunctory bird when I got an e-bird rare bird alert indicating there was a Northern Lapwing in Narragansett. I headed right out, hoping maybe the folks who spotted would still be there. They were and had the bird in their scope. WOW -- not only is this a new year bird, it is a Life bird! I had 4 different Lapwing species in South Africa, so this is #5. Lousy atmospheric conditions make of just so so photos, but lots of folks are getting to see it. The video suffers from my lack of a steady hand, but it is a cool bird to watch move, so it's here too.

From what I can tell this is only the fourth observation of a Northern Lapwing in Rhode Island -- November 1932, Sometime in 2000 on Block Island February 2013 and now this one. Nice find by some visiting birders from Maryland!

Scarborough State Beach Parking Lots

Northern Lapwing (apologies for the bad light and limited quality)

And a so-so video -- but a fun bird to watch...

The next day was rainy and I spent more of the morning trying to help relocate the Lapwing -- it showed up about an hour after I left. Happy for those who did not see it the previous day.

Monday I went to Newport after meeting a friend for breakfast. It was still raining but found a few gems in Jamestown later.

In town

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Racquet Road Audubon Refuge

Northern Flicker

I just returned from my last bird of 2024 and it was just lovely. Great weather and light -- bunch of photos and lots of good birds -- nothing new for the year, but a lesson for me for next year. So much fun just spending time with these magnificent creatures!

Charlestown Breachway

Horned Grebe