A walk by the Boardman............

There are still some trails that we are allowed to hike. One is the Boardman River trails. People were out taking advantage even though it's a weekday. We were going to hike by the nature center but way too many cars so we moved to the next trail head. No one there whoopie. First we had gone down to Logans Landing but no birds to be seen except for the Swan. I'm not sure if he was hoping for a treat or was making sure we didn't get close to the nest.



I did see the Tree swallows again, we went back to where the nesting boxes are. Private, so had to stay back.


So down to the Boardman River trails we went. All of that is a part of the Boardman (Lake) River. Since they took out the Dam the river has changed its course. Still a lot of growing back to do but wont take long I bet. It will be beautiful once nature takes over. Meanwhile its not so pretty but a nice walk through fields and woods.





We saw people on the other side but only saw a couple on our side.What we did see was a couple of Canadians and upon closer looks, with babies.


We got a better look once we got down onto the flat ground by the river. This tree shows what Piliated Woodpeckers can do.......

Gerry walking down to the the bench where you can sit and watch the river



I went off to see if I could get some pictures of the babies





The last picture is behind the school bus garage where the buses are going to sleep away the sumner. School must have saved a fortune is gas this year.

Quarantine yes, but a day out........

Only chance we took was to stop at Oleson's on the way home to get chicken for supper. It was super crispy fried up fresh for us. Yummy indeed. I wish I could fry chicken.
Well we headed out Cedar way and stopped to watch a turkey showing off for a few unimpressed females. I had to zoom in so not really a good shot because the grass got in the way. Ah well, I will include him anyway.



We went up Kasben Road to see if we could spot some Bluebirds but nope nothing. So we meanered off towards the lakeshore. Just as we pulled up to M22 we saw a Pileated Woodpecker. It was hard to focus but I got a couple of shots anyway.



Well that was a first, we usually don't see them in time. We just happened to be coming up to a stop sign so it was a stroke of luck. Turning onto M22 we went next to Shalda Creek and down to the beach. I found quite a few Petoskey's in a short time.






I saw a small hawk land in a tree, hard to focus on him but I got a couple of not so hot shots. I can't identify but it looks rather like a Merlin.Looking at my bird book it could be a female Sharp Shinned Hawk or a cooper's Hawk. The light and position made for a difficult ID.



Well that was that and on to Narada Lake. Nothing much to see. The Water lily are just beginning to show under the water but the reeds have not grown up yet so no activity.
Just one loud Redwing Blackbird.





Next we had to go to Port Oneida just because we always do. Sure enough the Sandhills and the Canadians were there. Nothing else we could capture. We are not quite ready for the backwoods trails yet and too many people around to go to the beach. We do need that social distancing thing.



Past the Dunes to Empire next.




No deer about today but the day was great even so. We were hungry so stopped to get the chicken. Enough for tomorrow too so hope to work in the garden tomorrow

Birding today, around town............

The weather man said it would get up to 50 today. He was mistaken. It was cold. We saved our road trip for tomorrow because he said it would be better. We shall see.
We opted for a short walk down by the Boardman river. Hoped to see some ducks (say water fowl) and we did. The river had overrun it's banks and made it rather soggy down there, and in one spot they put a boardwalk. I think we need more than one.



We saw a pair of Mersanger's there. There was also a pair of mallards (Nigel and Nelly perhaps) Gerry went down while I took pictures of a little Chipmunk. He was a bit slimmer than the one at home, he was a little bit paler too. Very cute and didn't mind the photoshoot either. A few Canadians showed up as well.





We walked around best we could, I saw a few flowers surprisingly, just starting and very sparse.



A couple of birds showed up, A Bluejay and a Grackle.


Before we left I walked down the river for a bit and saw what I was looking for, a Cormorant. It certainly wasn't sunning itself.


I had really enjoyed the birding so we went down to Logan's Landing. The birds were singing full throttle and the gulls trying to outdo them. we walked over to the other side of the landing via the covered bridge.



A nice variety of birds down there. The usual gulls, a few Swans, Mallards, Mersanger's and a few other things. I saw Cardinal, finches and Red Winged Blackbirds and best of all some Cedar Waxwings. I have not seen those in donkeys years. The blue birds are I believe Tree Swallows.











It will be great when the trees and shrubs foliate. It was a very dull day, but I can imagine when the sun's shining.




What I thought was all Gulls had a Tern among them. So far I know most of the birds I see, the only thing I was confused about was the Mersanger's I knew the brown headed one, but that turns out to be the female the black and white guy is the male. Well tomorrow, I hope for a better day, better weather at least.Oh one last thing, after Gerry headed back to the car and I was snooping around I found the Swan's nest. I couldn't get a good picture but managed one.


The other thing I suspect is an old Oriel's nest.