November 28, 2016 [LINK / comment]

Harrier is back on Bell's Lane

Overall, my birding activity has diminished since the rather intense periods earlier this month. I've gone to Bell's Lane a few times in hopes of seeing (and photographing) one of the Northern Harriers, but with relatively little success. Last Friday (designated "Opt Out Day" by those who object to the "Black Friday" shopping splurge), I took a few adequate photos of one that was swooping around the rolling pastures, but none as good as when I first used my Canon PowerShot SX50 camera in January 2013. They are fascinating to watch, at any rate. I then went to the Fishersville area in hopes of seeing the two lingering Sandhill Cranes, in vain. I did see two Killdeers over there, however.

Montage 25 Nov 2016

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Killdeer, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Bluebird (M), Cedar Waxwing, American Kestrel, Northern Harrier (F/J), White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-bellied Woodpecker (F), and Carolina Chickadee. Roll your mouse over the image to see various photos of the Northern Harrier that day. (November 25)

The Cedar Waxwing was in a tree in our neighborhood, along with several others. I should note that we have had Bluebirds in our back yard as well, which is rather unusual. Those photos can be seen on the Wild Birds yearly photo gallery page.

During my visit to Bell's Lane last Wednesday, I was astonished by how thick the smoke was from forest fires. Betsy Bell Hill was barely visible! I saw a female (or juvenile) Kestrel, and was barely able to make out a group of four Northern Shovelers on the small pond near the high point of Bell's Lane.