SSBC Social Distancing Virtual “Walks “– Early spring wrap-up

Note: To those who are unfamiliar, these social distancing “walks” are not in-person walks but rather a group chat where members share their experiences for the morning and stay connected. South Shore Bird Club is strict about (and very impressed by its members) adhering to social distancing guidelines, which includes avoiding populated areas, large groups, and close social interaction. We fully support members enjoying the healing and mindfulness that nature can provide and want to foster a social environment for those who may feel isolated-these walks are intended to achieve both of these goals with safety at the forefront of our mission.

One year from our first Social Distancing “Virtual” walks, 23 birders set out in locations near and far to share with one another the sights and sounds of the day. March 27th marked this anniversary, and the opening statement christening the beginning of another season was Vin announcing that Rusty Blackbirds were singing at Farnham-Connolly State Park in Canton. I would expect no less from a fine group of birders such as ourselves!

Some shared photos of fellow birders

Pete and Wayne at Burrage

While others shared photos of picturesque landscapes

Mystery marsh in Dartmouth, photo by Kim Wylie

Kathy posted what I think are the first cows shared in the GroupMe… Belted galloways or “belties” as we called them in college. She checked diligently, but no Cattle Egrets!!

Belted Galloways, photo by Kathy Rawdon

And I think it’s safe to say that all of us enjoyed the changes in flora and fauna associated with early spring;

Bumblebee, photo by Kim Wylie

Beaked hazelnut

Some of the birds of the day included many quintessential birds of early spring such as snipe, Great Egrets, oystercatchers, Greater Yellowlegs, Piping Plovers, Ospreys, Tree Swallows, and cormorants. Some saw more unusual species such as Pileated Woodpeckers, pintails, shovelers, pipits, and a yard Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. For non-avian notables Brian managed to find a second beaver lodge at Burrage!

(Yard!!!) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, photo by Mary Jo Foti

Beaver Lodge, photo by Brian Vigorito

The star of the show for our second virtual “walk” on April 3rd  was clearly the Yellow-headed Blackbird. Recently found in the area by a local that noticed it at their birdfeeder, birders were abuzz out and about looking for it. Brian was the first to give an update with the bird spotted at Spooner Street in Plymouth. Carol snapped this photo of the stunner a little later in the morning.

Yellow-headed Blackbird, photo by Carol Molander

Some posted of enjoying the songs of phoebes and Hermit Thrushes, while others got to the coast to enjoy some winter birds that still remained in the area such as Long-tailed Ducks, Purple Sandpipers, and Horned and Red-necked Grebes, the latter of the two being a treat this time of year with some individuals in breeding plumage. The indisputable best sighting of the day was an appearance by Christine and Steven into the GroupMe chat, saying hello and updating us with their birding ventures in Switzerland. Christine updated us with the birds they had seen for the day and Glenn reminded them that he had seen a bird from their neck of the woods, a Eurasian subspecies Green-winged Teal!

St.Ursanne on the River Doubs, photo by Christine Whitebread

Christine and Steven’s participation broke new ground for our Social Distancing ventures… now we’ve reached not only multiple states but multiple countries and continents!

Our next walk on April 10th began with Beth exploring a new route at a familiar place- a reminder that a little adventure can be had even in places we have been to many, many times. Christine filled us in on the update from across the pond with her and Steven also exploring close to home, seeing some neat birds and Steven getting some fantastic photographs.

Tawny Owl, photo by Steven Whitebread

Crested Tit, photo by Steven Whitebread

David Mehegan moved his eyes from the sky down to the ground to do a little botanizing and sent over a neat photo of some pitcher plants, looking equally eager for the arrival of sunnier, warmer weather. 

Pitcher plant, photo by David Mehegan

Lisa filled us in that another western blackbird species had been seen, and later it was confirmed that this bird (a Great-tailed Grackle) had also been seen in exactly the area the Yellow-headed Blackbird had been seen last week, confirming the presence of a wormhole in space and time between Spooner Pond in Plymouth and somewhere out west. Many commented on the arrival and uptick of Pine Warblers, and other migrants like Blue-headed Vireos began to make an appearance.

And even this early in the season, one should be mindful of our larger birds which start their breeding seasons early. Carol sent in this photo of one of two ravens checking out a silo on Shaw Road in Fairhaven, potentially to use as a space to build a nest.

Common Raven, photo by Carol Molander

A few of us SSBC members met up bright and early in Provincetown to watch for some seabirds and hopefully get to see right whales. What seemed to be a great forecast translated to a grim start, with a chill in the air and mist that soaked right into our clothing and made for nearly zero visibility over the ocean. Nonetheless we made the trek out to the rip at Race Point and, though some of us dropped off early because of the chilly weather, waiting with vigilance paid off as after a few hours of waiting the mist cleared and conditions were excellent. Gannets shuffled as they also gained visibility, realizing they were not where they intended to be, and we even got to see a right whale that seemed to be playing, observing it waving its flipper in the air and a tail breach, as well as a few instances of surface feeding.

Northern right whale flipper, photo by Brian Vigorito

All in all it was a great start to another round of Social Distancing “Virtual” Walks, and while it would be a lot of fun to be able to physically go on club trips together, I have quite enjoyed sharing all of our different sights, thoughts, and perspectives and will enjoy even more as migration (and the weather!) continues to heat up.

Nate