Birding at Great Meadows NWR

I got up early and headed over to Great Meadows NWR hoping to get there before too many people walked through and all the wildlife disappears.  The parking lot was empty when I arrived!

The floods of my last visit had receded and all the trails were once again accessible without the need for boots.  Even though the birds and waterfowl were closer to the trails than when you are there later in the day, it was still hard to approach them quietly walking on crunchy snow!

Red-Winged Blackbird

 Mallard

Hooded Merganser pair and Canada geese

Muskrat

Wood Duck (drake) and Canada Geese

I love wood ducks and saw at least 4 pairs today!

Canada Geese

Ring-Necked Ducks

Northern Shoveler in front; Mallards behind

Song Sparrow

Tree Swallows perching on reeds

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Green returns to the refuge!

Common Grackle

Mallards

Wood Duck (female)

poss. juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk hunting near the bathrooms

Bald Eagle

This was the last bird I saw as I returned to the parking lot!  So glad I didn't miss it!