14, 15 March

14 March

Brant count, mid-day.  No data available


15 March

 eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S130988895 

Weather:   9:00 am 4C wind WSW 6,  1:00 pm 7C wind NNE 9,  patchy frost, clear, then clouding over

Tide:    11:00 am 4.1m falling

14 March

Out with ANats on what was supposed to be a count of the March brant migration.  Alas, no brants to count in the segment of beach we'd been assigned.  It was a chilly day, with occasional sleet.

There were a couple of big mixed flocks of shorebirds, mostly dunlin, some black-bellied plovers.  



It appears the brant were elsewhere.  Another team of observers reported 575, so the migration is underway.

15 March

Finally, a sunny start to the morning.  A bit frosty initially but the day warmed up.  It was genuinely pleasant to sit in the sun on the Duck Counting Bench, even though there weren't lots of ducks to count.


There are definite signs of spring.


Various catkins have shown on trees for the past couple of weeks, but I'd never taken the time to look closely at one as it began to bloom out.  These are hazel catkins, and a close look shows tiny flowers.  I shouldn't be surprised, I guess, but it was pleasing to see.  

Just as an exercise I took some photos of a chestnut backed chickadee.


I think this one has Christmas card potential.

Out in the Estuary waters, there was a small assortment of ducks.


These two gadwalls strike me as a charming couple.  

The high point of the day birdwise was three red crossbills, one actually transitioning to full red.  





These were the first crossbills I've seen this season, even though they've been reported often enough.  Once or twice people I was out birding with reported them, but somehow they escaped my notice until yesterday.  These were conveniently close, too.  They often are on tree tops, less suitable for photos.  

It was a satisfying morning, and there is definitely a sense of approaching spring.









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