The weekend was cool, but dry and sunny - hooray.  Took a trip each day to Trustom and one quick stop at Quonochontaug on Sunday morning, where there was an abundance of redwing blackbirds, and a couple of loons and mergansers.  

I saw an American kestrel at Trustom, as well as some other bird I've yet to identify. It may have been a killdeer, but it scooted by so quickly I won't be sure unless I see it again. The usual suspects were there and I finally saw the kinglets again.  Still waiting to get a good picture of this tiny creature that doesn't stop for two seconds.  I heard an owl hoot twice but I've yet to see this elusive creature...very frustrating.

There are dozens of mourning doves that drop in to the feeders in my yard.  One of these doves had white tipped tail feathers, but not on the outer wing but the center.  I'd never seen this before.  If anyone has information on this please email me.

 Monday, on campus there were four turkey vultures soaring over the garden area which kept the birds hiding in the bushes.  There was also a hawk that kept flying by.  

While walking through campus on my lunch break I spotted a woodpecker type bird.  After googleing I think it might be a yellow bellied sapsucker.  Not the best picture in the world since there was no sun to speak of, but if I'm wrong about my conclusion, someone please email me to let me know.

Well it was another overcast, raw day.  Never made it to Trustom, but I spent a little time walking around Matunuck.  Robins are everywhere.  I've seen them all winter at Trustom, but now they're on every lawn, sidewalk and tree you pass.  

Early this morning a few male finches showed up for just a quick pit stop at the feeders.  Looks like there was an argument taking place between these two. Not sure who won that fight.

Well this morning was a washout and once it stopped raining it was still cloudy and raw and the winds kicked in.  That means it was a bird watching through the window day.  The usual suspects ate heartily at the feeders.  I did do some photography and caught this grackle leaving the scene of the crime.

Speaking of crime, along the path to the beach are the remains of a gannet.  Probably came in with the high waves from the storm the other day. 

The cedar waxwings were at the same tree today as they were yesterday and I was able to get a bit closer because they're now eating the berries on the lower limbs.  These are such beautiful birds.  In addition, I saw juncos, goldfinch, sparrows, crows, cardinal, titmouse, chickadees and a woodpecker - and that was just walking through campus.  Before going into work I made a quick stop at Moonstone and spotted a couple of male and female hooded merganser.  The night before, while enjoying a beer at the Ocean Mist, I spotted quite a few red-breasted mergansers bobbing in the strong waves.

Well, as you can see I'm not posting daily.  Between recouping from the flu, and the bad weather on the weekends, I haven't been out much.  However, today while taking a walk on campus I spotted a flock of Cedar Waxwings eating dried berries in a tree.  What a thrill.  All these small signs of spring really help diffuse the winter doldrums.

It's been quite a while since I've posted.  Matter of fact - February was rather lame with just one posting that I wrote and never uploaded to the site.  
It's been about 35 years since I've had the flu.  I guess I knew at some point my luck would run out - and this was the year.
Anyway, today I hope to start maintaining the site again.
Although I was unable to go to Trustom for almost two weeks, I did manage to keep the feeders full in the yard and that kept me going. I  watched the faithful sparrows as they devoured the seeds from dawn to dusk.  Many cardinals visit regularly; and  I can't see the chickadees from my window - but I do hear them on occasion.
Last week brought a real treat.  The red-wing blackbirds have returned.  Spring is definitely on our heels.

I'm back.  It's been about 10 days since I last posted anything.   I've been to Trustom quite a few times but unfortunately I can't remember all the wonderful things I saw over the last two weeks.  I do remember seeing a gull attack a coot.  I watched through my zoom so it wasn't as clear as if I would have had my binoculars, but it appeared that the gull may have killed the coot - and could have eaten him.  I have to do some investigation to see if this is normal.  

I've been chasing the kinglets lately.  I can't count the number of shots I've taken, and yet, not a decent photo.  It's so frustrating.  But chasing this 2 inch bird through Trustom who are never in the same area, and who don't stay still for more than 2 seconds at a time is sheer madness.  Then why do I do it? --- I have no idea.