Massachusetts Audubon Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

In spite of the overcast day and dark, looming clouds (and temp of 42 degrees), I decided I would still take a hike at the Broadmoor in Natick.  It turned out to be a great birding hike, probably because there were such few people there because of the ugly day.  With fewer people, there is always more wildlife.  And today's sightings included many of my favorites:  Eastern bluebirds, great blue heron, hooded mergansers and wood ducks!

 Eastern bluebirds

Wood ducks

Ring-necked ducks

Hooded mergansers

Song sparrow

A beaver has been busy but remained hidden. 

American crow

Tufted Titmouse

 Great blue heron

More Killdeer

I went back to the marsh next to the cemetery and was surprised to find not one, but three killdeer digging in the grass between the road and the marsh.  I wonder how many are in the area?  I couldn't resist more photos.  I think they are such a cute bird!

Ring-Necked Ducks and Wood Duck

While we were at Waseeka, we also saw a pair of ring-necked ducks in the water and a female wood duck in flight.

Nesting Ospreys

Georgie and I took a walk to the dam at Waseeka this afternoon and saw a pair of ospreys and their nest!

Love/Hate?

Most people feel strongly about Canada geese.  What about you?

A Suburban Marsh

I stopped at a marsh adjacent to the cemetery in Ashland tonight.  There were quite a few red-winged blackbirds nesting among the reeds, and I think I saw a muskrat out of the corner of my eye (but missed getting a photo).  A pair of mallards and a red-tailed hawk rounded things out.

Giving Me the Feathery Eyeball

Great Blue Heron

Northern Flicker

A beautiful bird, don't you think?  The northern flicker belongs to the woodpecker family, but is often found on the ground because it eats ants and beetles, digging for them with its large beak.

Northern Flicker (male)

Red-Tailed Hawk

This hawk did not want to stick around and have me ruin its chances of successful hunting.  As soon as I opened the car door, off it went!

 Lift-off!

Red-Bellied Woodpecker vs. European Starlings

There was a small piece of suet remaining in the lower left corner of this feeder.  The red-bellied woodpecker was bound and determined to keep it all to himself.  The European starlings were bound and determined to take it away from him.   Let the games begin!

The last photo gives you a glimpse of the red belly from which this bird gets its name!  See it through the feeder?  The woodpecker won this game!

What Makes a Soft Nest?

Last year's cat 'n nine tails, of course!  The song sparrow and goldfinch were both pulling fuzz out of these cattails.  Some of it blew away onto the water, but they flew off with little pieces.

Note to self:  Time to pack the bug spray!!!!

Muskrat

OK....I'm not surprised when I hike at Great Meadows NWR and see a muskrat (or 20 muskrats!).

But....I am surprised when I stop in the parking lot at Town Center Plaza (think Dunkin Donuts and a convenience store) in Southboro, MA and see movement in the small pond out front.

It's a good reminder to pay attention!  There is nature all around us!

Tower Hill Botanic Garden - After the Rain

The rest of these photos were taken indoors: