Jeanne

Activity one:  I recently retired to Cape Cod, Massachusetts where there are numerous nature preserves ideal for birds and birders.  In my neighborhood, which is near a very large kettle pond and a short drive to the ocean, the variety of birds is just wonderful. We have all the common songbirds coming to the feeder, a nice variety of species that live in the oak and pine woods, and countless waterfowl. As someone new to birding, I hardly know where to begin. Besides seeing the ones at the feeder each day (most of which were also common where I lived in Connecticut),  I recently spotted a flock of Cedar Waxwings in bushes closer to the pond.  Striking birds.  The pond regularly draws a pair of Mute Swans, Canadian geese, Mallards, Hooded Mergansers, and more. I still have so much to learn about the waterfowl.

I am new to birding other than watching those at the feeders I have at my home. I live on Cape Cod where there are a good number of nature preserves so this past weekend I spent time walking one to try out some new binoculars. The one I chose is a holly preserve with literally thousands of holly bushes and trees most of which were covered in their red berries.  I wasn’t sure what to expect but quickly realized the place was fully of American Robins. Although a very common bird for this area, I was actually pleased to see them since they are good-sized birds making it easy for me to practice zooming in with the binoculars. Upon leaving the preserve I went to a nearby pond where on a recent walk I’d spotted a flock of Cedar Waxwings in the bushes near the water. Gorgeous birds.  On this day with the new binoculars in hand I was delighted to see a number of water fowl on the part of the pond that was not frozen.  I could see there were a number of mallards but then realized there were also quite a few Hooded Mergansers, a beautiful bird I would have completely missed had it not been for the binoculars. A pair of Mute Swans added to the scene, putting on quite a display with their wings outspread.  So, a wonderful first outing as I begin birding beyond my feeders.