Last Minute Road Trip - Raptors

My friend and I made a last minute decision to leave early yesterday morning (0330) to go to Lake Mattamuskeet.  The weather was simply beautiful.  We arrived just as the sun was coming up.   As we crossed the lake, hundreds of swallows were swooping about.  We stopped trying to get some shots but none came out very good.  Too dark and they were moving too quickly.

Upon arriving at the refuge the first bird we saw was a Red-tailed Hawk.  We took this as a good sign we would see some raptors today.

We had hoped to see more waterfowl and after stopping by the refuge office, we got some intel on where some fairly good size groups of Ibis and Blue-winged Teals were spotted.  This was on the back side of the refuge and after getting some directions, we took off.  This area is closed after 31 October to prevent disturbing the migrating waterfowl so we were hoping to get some good shots.

We found the area, parked and packed to hike in.  After a little more than 1/2 mile, we realized we took the wrong path,  All was not lost though.  There were a couple of young Merlin that were desperately trying to catch some prey.  Their hunting skills were definitely lacking and repeated swoop downs on large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds that were feeding on seed heads in the field yielded to results.  One young one that was nearby unfortunately was sitting in the shadows.  We had to jack the ISO up to 2000 to even get a shot light enough to get any detail.

Finally moving on to try and find the correct area, we soon realized we were looking at another 1 1/2 mile hike to get to the location and back.  With limited time and shorter days, we decided we would come back another day before the area was closed.  On the way back out we spotted an Osprey sitting in a tree doing some serious grooming.

Back to the front side of the refuge, we hit the back area.  We were quite surprised to find one area that was still warbler rich.  In one small area we found a Black-and-white, American Redstart, Northern Parula and still a few Prothonotary Warblers.




























The day was getting late and we decided to make one last run down Wildlife Drive.  We spotted a Kestrel hunting and stopped to watch it for a while.  They are such pretty birds.

As we were watching we noticed a brown bird swooping low over the marsh.  Yeah!  A Northern Harrier.  They are such magnificent fliers.  Immediately the little Kestrel flew off yielding to the Harrier's presence.

One last stop going over the lake and an eagle popped out of a small island of trees and starting flying across the lake.  A nice bird to end the day with.

Salvaging Sunday

Hopes for a bright, clear Sunday morning were dashed early but I went ahead and went out hoping against hope.  What an absolute shame too because we had the chance to come upon the merlin several folks have been trying to document.  Well, proof is in the picture even though not a good one and four of us all took shots.










The Indigo Buntings were spectacular and unusually numerous and active.  I believe the overcast skies actually helped photographing the vibrancy of their blue.  It was a treat watching them.

Around 1400, the sun came out, blue skies and temperatures rebounded.  To go back out or not?  Blue skies were calling so off I went.  This turned out to be a very good decision.  Even though it was still very shady, where I was going, the birds were absolutely phenominal.  Northern Parulas were singing everywhere.  Warblers today: Yellow, Palm,  Black and White Warblers, Black-Throated Blue  and definitely heard a Black Poll.  In deep shade and not the best shot but I enjoyed seeing them all.





























Moving on to check out an area further down the trail, a bright splash caught my eye.  At first I thought maybe a Cardinal until I heard.  I was so excited and afraid I would not have time to get the camera adjusted that I just flipped the camera to programed.  There it was, a Scarlet Tanager.  I have seen Summer Tanagers and this location but never a Scarlet.  Thrilled!








On a high and sun starting to get low I called it a day.  On the way out, I passed an area and could definitely hear chirping of little ones.  I saw the adult Phoebe fly in and stopped to look.  Wish the shot could have been better but I dared not do anything to disturb the little ones by moving branches to try and get a clear shot.  How sweet all of them lined up.  A good ending to what turned out to be a good day.