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The usual bird suspects that visited my yard recently:

House Sparrows: there seems to be more than previous years. I had to leave the feeder empty for awhile.

Tufted Titmouse: watching them pick up whole peanuts and dropping them in flight.

White-breasted Nuthatch: noisy and acrobatic.

Northern Cardinal: cautious and beautiful.

House Finch: not as many as in previous years.

Goldfinch: one of my favorite birds. Seven were at the feeders.

Carolina Wren: not a frequent visitor and fun to watch as it dodges in and out of the rock wall.

White-throated Sparrow: foraging on the ground and watching for the psychotic squirrels.

Mourning Dove: three showed up.

Downy Woodpecker: I ran out of suet I need to pick up some more.

Black-capped Chickadee: Another on of my favorites that are fearless and brave. When I have the patience I have to work on having them eat from my hand.

These are the little wonders that got me interested in birding. I may wander the Wildlife Sanctuaries looking for some hard to photograph bird but I still like to sit by the window, drink my coffee and watch my little friends.

Westport Town Farm is a colonial-era farmstead with a short one mile trail. The early November trees have lost most of their leaves with a select few still hanging on. Still, the view from the fields over looking the river is a wonderful sight especially during a cool autumn day.

The trail system hugs the edges of open fields to the marshes of the east Branch Westport River. There is a trail leading to the marsh but is was closed.

A short distance from the closed trail I found a green can. It was a geocaching can which is some kind of GPS location game. If someone reads this and plays the game…go there!

There was no spectacular bird sightings other than a small flock on Dark-eyed Juncos on the stone walls.

Acoaxet Point
Not wanting to end the day, I went to Elephant Rock Beach located at Acoaxet Point in Westport to finish my walk and hoping to spot some migrating birds.

It has been years since my last visit there. However, due to my recent interest in birding I ventured that way once more. It was a nice beach walk but I do not think I will come this way again for bird sightings. Although, I did see a lone Common Eider, some Gulls and a small flock of Sanderlings.

I took the dog for a walk with me along the beach. During the walk I noticed various discarded items on the shoreline.

These are some of the items found.

Ashumet Holly & Wildlife Sanctuary
286 Ashumet Road, East Falmouth, MA

Ashumet: a Wampanoag Indian name meaning “at or near a spring.”

A person never knows what to expect in a given area due to the seasons affecting the observation of birds, especially for a first time visit. I read that Ashumet Holly was a good place to go birding and I was not disappointed.

As I approached the start of the trail system a Red-tailed Hawk flew from a tree next to the small barn. This small barn is the home of two different species of swallows. I missed them since they have long since departed for their migration south. I’ll have to keep this in mind for a return visit in July-Sept.

First of all let me say that this is one on the prettiest walking areas. Holly trees lined the trails with red berry laden leaves, it made for a picturesque walk. The trails are easy and good for kids too.

The Grassy Pond Trail takes one to Grassy Pond which is a kettle pond formed by glaciers. The trail map mentions rare wildflowers at Grassy Pond which I did not see since my attention was drawn elsewhere (birds).

A flock of nervous geese were feeding in the reeds. Gun shots could be heard in the distance. A couple who visits the area often stated there is a sportsman’s zone nearby which is the reason for the noise. Since it is hunting season, these are the smart geese as they did not venture into the danger zone but they were very alert.

Flying in circles high above was a pair of chattering Belted Kingfishers. Then a great Blue Heron flew by. I missed it again!

Trails with names like, Rhododendron Trail, Mystery Tree Trail and English Holly Trail bring an air of expectation that does not disappoint. These too proved interesting and enjoyable.

Besides the tall Holly and Pine trees a notable tree was the Franklinia Tree. Even on November 4th there was a few remaining blooms! The trail map states this tree is the result of the of transplanting from Georgia as the native wild Franklinia disappeared by 1790.

The highlight for me was the photo of the Belted Kingfisher. I saw it perched on a dead tree in the water. I snapped a photo before it flew off. They do not sit still very long. I waited for its return for a few minutes then choose for a closer position.

I found a great spot with a great view. Then…before I could setup properly, it landed on the tree branch, saw me, then quickly flew away. I squeezed the shutter button but managed two frames. One frame blank and the the other is a photo of it holding a small fish in its bill. Best shot to date of the Belted Kingfisher.

Other sighting this day

• Great Blue Heron
• Belted Kingfisher
• Canada Geese
• Song Sparrow
• Robin
• Red-tailed Hawk

I finally was able to obtain a photo of a Great Blue Heron.  However, if I was slightly more attentive I probably would have obtained a better one.

As I was walking to the waters edge, I was watching for wildlife but the heron blended into its environment very well. I did not see it until I got within 15 feet and flushed it from its spot. After I recovered from a mild heart attack, I took a photo of it flying away. So close!

Other bird sightings included: Northern Harrier (a 1st!), Dark-eyed Junco, Great Egret, Black Ducks, Crow, Sanderling, Canada Geese, juvenile Mute Swan and the usual gull suspects.

Each time I go to Gooseberry Island I never know what I may find. This day was no exception.

I began my walk on the west side of the island. A couple of Double-crested Cormorants were on the rocks but no other birds. Not even a sandpiper! It was quiet but I would hear gull cries every once in awhile on the east side.

Upon reaching the east side, the gulls were busily following the stripers who in turn were chasing minnows. A pair of fisherman were casting and succeeding in catching a few fish.

There was a mixture of gulls, Laughing Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, Herring Gulls and a few Great Black-backed Gulls. Most of them were Laughing Gulls.

The gulls would rest on the exposed rocks and once the fish broke the waters surface, the gulls would quickly fly to the area. This was followed by the cormorants who got into the act and literally dove into the boiling water of feeding fish. What followed was pure pandemonium and fun to watch.

As I scanned the water I saw what appeared to be a basketball floating in the water. I spied through the camera lens and snapped a quick photo. To my surprise it was a seal who apparently joined in the feeding frenzy. As quickly as the seal appeared it disappeared. It was the first time I ever saw a seal at Gooseberry.

On the walk back I did notice a bunch of Dark-eyed Juncos.

Gooseberry…you never know what is in store.