For the Birds: Beavers helping geese

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Photo by Chris Bosak A Canada goose sits on a nest atop a beaver den as another goose remains alert to potential danger in New England this spring.

I received an interesting email the other day from Tricia from Alstead. She relayed that she and a few other people — and a couple of dogs — were taking a walk when they noticed a strange lump on the top of a beaver den.

It turned out that the lump was a Canada goose, presumably sitting on eggs, as the bird remained hunkered down, despite the proximity of the humans and dogs. Tricia hypothesized that the goose nest was built over a vent hole in the den, which kept the eggs warm.

I couldn’t confirm nor deny that hypothesis but it does make sense.

The email did spur me to research the relationship between Canada geese and beavers. It turns out that they have a very beneficial Continue reading →

Birds to brighten your day: April 25

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Photo by Chris Bosak A brown creeper clings to the trunk of a tree in New England, April 2020. Merganser Lake.

A Day on Merganser Lake XVI

Here’s a photo more for education than its quality — admittedly not the best photo. Animals, including birds, have different strategies for survival. For the brown creeper, that strategy is obviously camouflage. It spends most of its day creeping up tree trunks looking for morsels to eat. If you’re going to spend your days clinging to tree trunks, you may as well look like a tree trunk.

(Repeat text for context:  I’m running out of COVID-19 lockdown themes so from now until things get back to some semblance of normalcy, I will simply post my best photo from the previous day. You could say it fits because of its uncertainty and challenge. I’ll call the series “A Day on Merganser Lake,” even though that’s not the real name of the lake I live near in southwestern Connecticut, it’s just a nod to my favorite duck family.)

Birds to brighten your day: April 24

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Photo by Chris Bosak
A black-capped chickadee checks out a birdhouse in a backyard in New England, April 2020. Merganser Lake.

A Day on Merganser Lake XV

Well, it doesn’t look like the bluebirds are going to nest in the bluebird box I got a few weeks ago. My property is not ideal habitat for them as it’s more wooded than open. At least they are still visiting every day and keeping me entertained. The good news is that black-capped chickadees keep checking it out. Hopefully a pair will decide to move in. They are not bluebirds but I’d certainly take it.

(Repeat text for context:  I’m running out of COVID-19 lockdown themes so from now until things get back to some semblance of normalcy, I will simply post my best photo from the previous day. You could say it fits because of its uncertainty and challenge. I’ll call the series “A Day on Merganser Lake,” even though that’s not the real name of the lake I live near in southwestern Connecticut, it’s just a nod to my favorite duck family.)

Photo by Chris Bosak
A black-capped chickadee checks out a birdhouse in a backyard in New England, April 2020. Merganser Lake.

Birds to brighten your day: April 23

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Photo by Chris Bosak A palm warbler looks for food on the ground in a yard in Danbury, Connecticut, April 2020. Merganser Lake.

A Day on Merganser Lake XIV

I’ve been seeing palm warblers around my yard for about a week now. They are fairly brave as they sometimes approach closely in their search for food. They remain tricky photo subjects, however, because, like most warblers, they are constantly in motion. I got a decent shot of this bird as it hopped along a rocky area of my side yard yesterday.

Palm warblers are usually the second warbler to arrive in New England in the spring, following the pine warbler. Palm warblers are tail-pumpers so if you see a small, yellow bird with a rusty cap sitting on a branch pumping its tail, it’s a palm warbler.

(Repeat text for context:  I’m running out of COVID-19 lockdown themes so from now until things get back to some semblance of normalcy, I will simply post my best photo from the previous day. You could say it fits because of its uncertainty and challenge. I’ll call the series “A Day on Merganser Lake,” even though that’s not the real name of the lake I live near in southwestern Connecticut, it’s just a nod to my favorite duck family.)

Birds to brighten your day: April 22

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Photo by Chris Bosak
A male eastern bluebird feeds his mate mealworms in a backyard in Danbury, Connecticut, April 2020. Merganser Lake.

A Day on Merganser Lake XIII

I caught these love birds (eastern bluebirds really) in an intimate moment yesterday as the male fed his mate some dried mealworms. How romantic, I know. I have been seeing them do this over the last few days but have never been quick enough with the camera. This time I was ready and got their special moment.

(Repeat text for context:  I’m running out of COVID-19 lockdown themes so from now until things get back to some semblance of normalcy, I will simply post my best photo from the previous day. You could say it fits because of its uncertainty and challenge. I’ll call the series “A Day on Merganser Lake,” even though that’s not the real name of the lake I live near in southwestern Connecticut, it’s just a nod to my favorite duck family.)

Birds to brighten your day: April 21

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Photo by Chris Bosak An American robin visits a yard in Danbury, CT, April 2020. (Merganser Lake)

A Day on Merganser Lake XII

In all my years of feeding birds, I’ve never had American robins visit my feeders. Until a few days ago, that is. They technically haven’t visited my “feeders” yet, but they are regular visitors to my deck railing on which I place dried mealworms for the bluebirds and pine warblers. And robins, apparently.

We’ve all seen a million robins before, but we can’t ever really tire of them, can we? They are a traditional harbinger of spring (even though many spend all winter with us) and a beloved, easy-to-learn bird. So here’s a neat photo of a robin I got yesterday. Hail to the regular birds!

(Repeat text for context:  I’m running out of COVID-19 lockdown themes so from now until things get back to some semblance of normalcy, I will simply post my best photo from the previous day. You could say it fits because of its uncertainty and challenge. I’ll call the series “A Day on Merganser Lake,” even though that’s not the real name of the lake I live near in southwestern Connecticut, it’s just a nod to my favorite duck family.)

Birds to brighten your day: April 20

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Photo by Chris Bosak
An eastern towhee hides in thickets in Ridgefield, CT, April 2020.

A Day on Merganser Lake XI

As the spring progresses, I’ll get better shots of eastern towhees. They are one of the earlier migrants in the spring. My hot spot for towhees yielded only a few of them yesterday. In another week or so, the area will be filled with “tow-ee” and “drink-your-tea” sounds. I do like this shot because it shows towhees how they are often seen, hiding among the thickets.

Spring migration is picking up quickly. This morning I’ve already seen a yellow-rumped warbler. My hummingbird feeder is hanging as well, just in case an early arrival shows up. Let me know what you’re seeing out there.

(Repeat text for context:  I’m running out of COVID-19 lockdown themes so from now until things get back to some semblance of normalcy, I will simply post my best photo from the previous day. You could say it fits because of its uncertainty and challenge. I’ll call the series “A Day on Merganser Lake,” even though that’s not the real name of the lake I live near in southwestern Connecticut, it’s just a nod to my favorite duck family.)

For the Birds: Warbler season already

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Photo by Chris Bosak
A pine warbler visits a backyard in New England, April 2020, Merganser Lake.

Another quick, one-day break from the A Day on Merganser Lake photo series to bring you the latest For the Birds column …

Could it be warbler season already?

It sure is and I’m just as surprised as the next person. Not that the first week of April is unusual for the early warblers to arrive; it’s right on time.

Still, I was surprised when I looked up and saw a pine warbler perched at the top of my bird-feeder pole system the other day. I wasn’t ready for it. In a normal year, I’d be counting down the days until the first warblers arrived. But this is no normal year. I think we can all agree on that.

Like many others, I’m sure, I’ve been consumed with COVID-19, or coronavirus. It’s on the news 24/7. Grocery stores have one-way aisles, most people are wearing masks and the cashiers are wearing face shields. My work (thankfully I am still working) is busier than ever due to the virus and the days start earlier and end later than ever.

No sports. No concerts. No parties. Heck, no talking to your Continue reading →

Birds to brighten your day: April 18

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Photo by Chris Bosak
A tufted titmouse visits in a yard in Danbury, CT, April 2020. (Merganser Lake)

A Day on Lake Merganser X

Tufted titmice are a common occurrence in my backyard; perhaps the most common. I still appreciate the small birds, no matter how many of them I’ve seen. Titmice are not known for their vocal prowess, but I’ve heard a lot of different songs and calls come from them. They have quite a range of sounds. Yet another reason to like these little birds.

(Repeat text for context:  I’m running out of COVID-19 lockdown themes so from now until things get back to some semblance of normalcy, I will simply post my best photo from the previous day. You could say it fits because of its uncertainty and challenge. I’ll call the series “A Day on Merganser Lake,” even though that’s not the real name of the lake I live near in southwestern Connecticut, it’s just a nod to my favorite duck family.)

Birds to brighten your day: April 17

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Photo by Chris Bosak
A white-throated sparrow visits in a yard in Danbury, CT, April 2020. (Merganser Lake)

A Day on Merganser Lake IX

For whatever reason I don’t get a lot of white-throated sparrows visiting my yard. I have a good property for them, too, with edge-of-woods habitat and a few brush piles for shelter. I get tons of juncos, but few white-throated sparrows. So when I looked up and saw this guy perched in a branch right outside my window yesterday, I had to take action. He is in crisp breeding plumage and was a cooperative subject. It’s easy to see why it is called a white-throated sparrow.

(Repeat text for context:  I’m running out of COVID-19 lockdown themes so from now until things get back to some semblance of normalcy, I will simply post my best photo from the previous day. You could say it fits because of its uncertainty and challenge. I’ll call the series “A Day on Merganser Lake,” even though that’s not the real name of the lake I live near in southwestern Connecticut, it’s just a nod to my favorite duck family.)