Xmas 2009 Summary

I was lazy over break and didn't update my journal. Bad me. Some notable highlights were...

We took our usual walk at Hammonasset on Christmas Day, where there were loons and scary snowmen. Some Ruddy Turnstones on the beach were a new Hammo bird for me, I think.

We had 2 new backyard birds over the break: a Fox Sparrow and a Cooper's Hawk. It amazes me that my family has lived in that house for over 20 years and we still see new birds.

Went back to Hammo for an afternoon of chilly tidepooling. Didn't see all too much. Couple hydroids, a few little crabs that I felt too cold to grab. Some nice loons. Oh, and a hunter. With decoys. Which I mistook for real ducks. I don't think he was supposed to be there.

Posted on January 11, 2010 07:46 AM by kueda kueda

Observations

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 23, 2009

Description

Lots of these coming to our feeders at home. Every year I feel like there are more of them.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 2009

Description

First time seeing this species in the back yard! Seems to be hanging out under the deck.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 25, 2009

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 25, 2009

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 25, 2009

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 25, 2009

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 25, 2009

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Common Loon (Gavia immer)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 25, 2009

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 25, 2009

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 25, 2009

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 25, 2009

Photos / Sounds

What

Fish-associated Isopods (Superfamily Cymothooidea)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 25, 2009

Description

There were a couple of these little isopods on the sand at the northern end of the beach. No idea what they are.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 2009

Description

Cooper's Hawk in the beech tree in our backyard! I think that's another new backyard bird for me.

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Jingle (Anomia simplex)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 30, 2009 02:47 PM EST

Description

These are somewhat common in the wrack, not sure I've ever actually noticed a live one before. I believe this is Anomia simplex, the Common Jingle.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

kueda

Date

December 30, 2009 03:17 PM EST

Description

This hydroid was growing very abundantly along the stems of some algae in the rocky areas. I got a book on inverts of the sound, so we'll see if I can make any progress with this...

Well, the book I have (Weiss, Marine Animals of Southern New England and New York), doesn't go into much detail on the sertulariids, so I guess I'm stuck at the family level before I can get a more detailed reference.

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Loon (Gavia immer)

Observer

kueda

Date

December 30, 2009 04:13 PM EST

Description

There are Common and Red-throated Loons wintering at Hamo. I also seem to be able to tell the Commons apart by the absurdly thick necks.

Photos / Sounds

What

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Observer

kueda

Date

January 2010

Description

Seen while walking the Guilford Frosty 5k on New Years morning. We came in second to last!

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