Working at Cross Purposes

Came to Cheshire to be centrally located to bird in New England and yet stay in an approved state. Went to the airport and spent quite a bit of time not seeing any crossbills. I just made the remark it was a nemesis bird and we decided to try one last site that a dog walker mentioned along airport road just after the entry. And there they were. At least six of them. Three beautiful males and some female/immatures. Also at least three rb nuthatches. All feeding on the ground amidst a carpet of fallen cones. Just learned that pine cones open in the sun, close in the rain, and can stay on trees for 10 years. It seems like some event, not yet sure what occurred very recently to bring a lot of cones to the ground. I learned there are male and female cones. Not sure how to tell them apart.

Also returned to the airport around 530 PM and caught a glimpse of 2 short eared owls thanks to Sam Jaffe. I had failed to pick them up with my scope. Very pale. Beautiful. Two nh birds today

Posted on February 26, 2021 01:58 AM by