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I wanted to build my photo archive of gulls and a drive to Plymouth, Mass was in order. My target gulls was the Great Black-backed Gull and the Laughing Gull. I rarely see the Laughing Gull and I know they hang out at Plymouth Harbor. Plymouth Harbor is more public friendly than Sakonnet Point in Little Compton, RI which is terribly unfriendly with little public parking. Hence, Plymouth is a good place to see these gulls.

First order of business was to walk the mile long stone breaker. A nice walk, good views and maybe catch a few birds. The only bird close enough to photograph was a Herring Gull eating a crab found in the weeds. The other gulls like the Great Black-backed Gull stayed out of camera range. 

The lack of close birds had me notice some of the graffiti on the rocks. I photographed the more humorous lettering artwork. Graffiti 1, Graffiti 2, Graffiti 3 and Graffiti 4. Graffiti #1 is my favorite.

Near the docks Common Terns and Cormorants dove into the water for minnows. While the gulls tried to steal from the terns. I tried to capture the terns as they dove into the water but they were extremely erratic and turned very abruptly. I gave up after a while.

I stayed on the dock until the Common Terns and Cormorants suddenly left the area. The gulls were high on the restaurant roof tops. Must have been nap time after the feeding. I looked at the time and noticed the parking meter time was about to expire. As the birds rested and meter time expiring, it too was my time to head back home.

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The Tiverton Butterfly Zoo has been late to open this year which is usually open on Memorial Day weekend.  A neighboring business informed me last week that it is to open on June 16th. I stopped by to check on it and it has yet to open. I suspect cool temperatures have delayed it’s opening.

Since my main objective was unavailable, as I was about to drive by the Tiverton Trout Pond, I made a last minute decision to stop. It is just a small pond by the roadside. Although, named “Trout Pond” I doubt trout are really in there. It is good for panfish such as pumpkinseed.

At times there is a Cormorant drying on the large rock or basking turtles or a Great Egret on the far bank. I was surprised to see a pair of Belted Kingfishers. A return visit is in order to see the Kingfishers.

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My last two visits to Allen’s Pond focused on the Piping Plovers. I had semi-tunnel vision but noticed a few things but my pace quicken as I made my way to the plovers.

As I sat and watched the plover, a couple approached me and we chatted awhile. They happen to be from Wisconsin and mentioned a  Black-necked Stilt in the area. These birds are scarce in the Northeast and would be a life bird for me. I asked if they were sure and maybe it was a Willet or a Greater Yellowlegs.  The conversation sifted again to the plover and birding in the area.

Before they left, I was directed to a Killdeer who was performing the broken wing routine, as their nest may have been in the vicinity. I thank them and we parted.

I spotted the Killdeer but they kept their distance and I watched the broken wing routine.  Something I have not witnessed before.  They flew around me but did not land close.

Sometime later I checked the Mass Bird Listing and I was stunned to see that in fact, a Black-necked Stilt was in the area. I was there and failed to pay attention or listen to the couple who I had a conversation with. Lesson learned!

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I finally was able to make one of the Allen’s Pond bird walks with birder Paul Champlin. It did not disappoint. The walk started at 9am with a small group of people and we got back to the station house at 12:30pm. It was an excellent 3 1/2 tour.

I was able to see three life birds.  The highlights for me included the observations of the not so common birds like the Blue-winged Warbler. Plus, the call difference’s between the Alder Flycatcher and  Willow Flycatcher.

My two favorite birds of the trip: the Piping Plover and the Seaside Sparrow, which I was particularly pleased to see. Added note on the Piping Plover: preliminary 2009 estimates of nesting Piping Plover pairs in Massachusetts is 575 and the Atlantic Coast is 1831.

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Link to the days sightings here on the Massachusetts Birding List.

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The daffodils are mostly blooming at Parsons Reserve. There are rows of daffodils blooming, other rows just starting to bloom and hopefully by next week, the whole area should be covered.

Since it was such a nice day, it was a popular place to walk. I met a few people including a couple sitting by the bench eating while Ellie their chocolate lab, sat at their feet. (Note: if the couple who owns Ellie visits this site, if you wish, I’ll provide the larger image for you. Just contact me.)

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I suspected it was still early in the season to see the daffodil fields at Parsons Reserve, for which it is known. However, I was not sure, so an exploratory walk was in order.

A short walk up the hill brought me to the kiosk displaying a map of the reserve. To view the daffodil fields follow the Yellow trail that is but a short walk.

My suspicions were right, it is still early in the season but there were some scattered daffodil blooms. A trip back is definitely in the plans as I imagined the field covered in blooming flowers.

The blue trail crossed a swollen stream until I eventually reached a bench by a vernal pool which because of the heavy rains, is now a small pond. Frog spawn covered a couple of branches in water. Nearby is the Green trail loop. I walked the loop and could not pick up the blue trail, so I doubled back back to the bench by the vernal pool. I then made my way back from which  I came.

As I walked the Blue trail, a small brook crossed the trail that became a small steam overflowing its banks due to the rains. I had to dance across rocks, logs and moss islands to get to the other side. Not a pretty sight of me performing a balancing act, but the good news – I didn’t fall!

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DNRT Parsons Reserve site info here

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After the rain storms passed, backyard song birds sing joyously as the sun shines brightly. Naturally, this brings an occasion to go for a walk at one of my most frequented places – Allen’s Pond Wildlife Sanctuary.  I headed there in hopes of seeing some migrate birds.

The prominent birds at the sanctuary was the Song Sparrow and Red-winged Blackbirds whose songs could be heard through the sanctuary, particularly the sparrow.

A pair of Killdeers fly overheard and landed somewhere in the marsh. A lone Red-tailed Hawk high in the sky and in the distance Common Eiders, Black Ducks and Swans.

While at the Quansett Trail boardwalk which now has a bench, Butch Lombardi stopped by and we spoke for about 30 minutes. He had a Canon camera and naturally our conversation included: photography, birds and places to see them. It’s always a pleasure to meet friendly people on the trails. If you have the time stop over and visit Butch’s site at eastbayimages.

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