Birding Tales: Wintering Birds of the Chesapeake
'Tis the Season for Tundra Swan...for Now.
At winter’s holiday season, nature’s gifts to us here on the Eastern Shore are breathtaking vistas—geese flying in V formation against a mackerel sky over the Choptank River, buffleheads circling a cove off the Tred Avon before gliding into a water-ski-like landing, and if one is particularly lucky, a lone loon on Eastern Bay, wailing momentarily before plunging torpedo-like beneath the surface. And what could be more spectacular than a ballet of swans floating gracefully along a tree-lined water’s edge on the Chester...
Snow Geese, One of America's Most Significant Wildlife Spectacles
High in the northern sky, a few weak lines wriggle. Quite suddenly, the display arrives: goose, after goose, after goose, 1,000, no 10,000 snow white bodies, a frenzy of flapping, a cacophony of old man whistles and bicycle toots falling over the land, engorging one's senses like standing outside in the midst of a blizzard. With cupped wings they spiral around and around, landing ravenous after a 3,000 mile migration, and greeted by remnant scatterings of harvested soy and corn along farm field that waits.
When Blanketed in Snow, Weeping Crabapple Provides Bistro for Birds
Overwintering birds enjoy berries from my cedar tree and beautyberry bush, but they rarely touch the fruits on the weeping crabapple tree...unless snow blankets the ground for several days, then the tree becomes a showcase for backyard birds and flocks passing through.
One winter's day, a flock of cedar waxwings foraged the tree, their yellow bellies and black-masked faces a stunning departure from my ordinary backyard birds.
Snow Goose Departure Means Spring Nearby
Full staging grounds on Maryland's Eastern Shore means spring can't be far away.
Birds on Blooming Branches
Spring is a brief but heady time of year, and is anything lovelier than a bird perched on a branch of blooms?