April 30, 2010 9:55 am Sunny 60` backyard

I viewed a Chimney Swift, a first of the year, flying over our house today. What amazing birds they are. They spend their entire life on the wing eating, sleeping, you name it.

Same day 12:30 am-1:40 pm Sunny 70`

Stony Brook Audubon, Norfolk MA

We had a small but note worthy excursion today. The bird feeders next to the gift shop were relatively quiet with a few birds but nothing spectacular. There were large numbers of Tree Swallows (so far these have been the only swallows we have seen this year) flitting through the field planted with bird houses. I noticed a pair of wood ducks but before any one else could see them they flew off. There were a few other species of waterfowl: a bunch of Canada Geese, some with their adorable goslings, a pair of Hooded Mergansers and two male Mallards. There were hundreds of Red-Winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles swarming through the marsh and all through the woods. Back at the gift shop we found an Eastern Bluebird and a Turkey Vulture which was flying high over the meadow. The only other bird to note was a lone Red-Bellied Woodpecker deep in the Pine Woods. There were many Turtles all over the Audubon - Snapping and Painted. Here are a few pictures I took that day.