Late Spring continued the cool and rainy trend, but there were still opportunities to photograph birds, though some in light drizzle like the eagle that follows. The photos here were taken between
I found a Bald Eagle perched high in a dead tree.
Then a Blue Jay perched even higher and repeatedly buzzed the eagle.
The eagle remained in place but definitely did not look happy about the harassment.
Warblers
I photographed warblers in Etna, West Lebanon, Lebanon, Enfield, Newport, New London, and Sunapee.
American Redstart
I found a female and male American Redstart at the West Lebanon Wetland.
Along Bog Road in Enfield, I found another male redstart.
Black-and-White Warbler
Along Trask Road in Sunapee, I found a very cooperative Black-and-White Warbler singing its high pitched song.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
I saw Chestnut-sided Warblers in numerous places. This one grabbed a caterpillar in the Hayes Farm Park just outside the King Bird Sanctuary in Etna.
This one posed nicely for me in Newport along the Sugar River Trail.
Here are two photo of the same bird along Trask Road.
A short time later, I took the following two photos. I’m not sure if it is the same bird as above or not, but I am puzzled by the white fluffing on its sides. I wonder if it indicates territorial or aggressive behavior.
Common Yellowthroat
I photographed Common Yellowthroats in three locations. Earlier this spring I had poor luck finding them anywhere. This one was at the Philbrick-Cricenti Bog in New London.
Two photos of the same bird along Bog Road follow.
Along Trask Road a few days ago, I photographed this bird.
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warblers like wet areas so it is not surprising to find them at the Philbrick-Cricenti Bog. I took the photos that follow during two visits in early June.
Northern Waterthrush
In Lower Sunapee, I found a Northern Waterthrush. It was shy. I only got a few quick shots. I went back another time and could not relocate it. All of the photos I took showed a black line on its side. Another nature puzzle.
Pine Warbler
Trask Road was a productive spot for me these weeks. Here are two photos of a Pine Warbler. Next time I am back I’m going to stop at nearby Sanctuary Farm for some of the best ice cream in the area — home-made from their own cream.
Yellow Warbler
By far the warbler I saw most often was the Yellow Warbler.
At the West Lebanon Wetland this one caught a caterpillar, perhaps an inchworm. It struggled with it for 15 seconds.
And then it dropped it.
Dropping it must have been a mistake because it immediately dove after it.
Along Trask Road I took these five photos on three different days between June 6 and 19.
Also along Trask Road, this Yellow Warbler launched right at me before veering away.
Also in Sunapee, but now in Lower Sunapee, this Yellow Warbler had some prey and later it, or another one, sang.
The photos below were taken along the Northern Rail Trail near Ice House Road in Lebanon. This is a very reliable spot for Yellow Warblers, American Redstarts, and Warbling Vireos.
Other Species
I found a Baltimore Oriole at Ice House Road. There is a nest just west of the gate at the parking area, but it is very hard to see.
While at the King Bird Sanctuary, a Broad-winged Hawk flew quite high above me.
Just in front of where I parked on Ice House Road was a Brown-headed Cowbird.
I found Cedar Waxwings in New London and at two spots in Sunapee.
Below is a comparison of a House Finch from West Lebanon with a streaky brown belly and a Purple Finch from Sunapee with more red on the face and neck.
I photographed Gray Catbirds at four locations. Near Ice House Road in Lebanon, I found one gathering nest material.
Here is one from West Lebanon.
I got a close look at a Gray Catbird along Bog Road in Enfield.
Finally, one was strongly backlit in the Chaffee Nature Preserve near Post Pond in Lyme.
At the Philbrick-Cricenti Bog in New London I photographed a Hermit Thrush standing tall and proud.
Indigo Buntings are regulars in the the King Bird Sanctuary. Here is one from late May.
My single visit to the King Bird Sanctuary produced two colorful birds — the Indigo Bunting above and a Northern Cardinal below.
This Mourning Dove was in Lebanon near Ice House Road.
I photographed Red-eyed Vireos, surprisingly at eye level, on two different days in Lower Sunapee. The first was right in front of me a few yards away as I exited my car.
I photographed Red-winged Blackbirds at the West Lebanon Wetlands and along Trask Road, the latter out my car window. Here are three from each spot.
I photographed a Song Sparrow carrying food in New London and Sunapee, undoubtedly two different birds.
Warbling Vireos were found along the Rail Trail in Lebanon and at the West Lebanon Wetland.
I found a White-throated Sparrow in New London very close to the boardwalk at the bog but hard to see and photograph through the vegetation.
A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was working a tree in the parking area on Ice House Road. A few quick shots and it was gone. Nice way to end a visit.
Woods Without Gile
Ann and Marc Davis hosted a bird walk on their conserved 470 acres. Named Woods With Gile, it is on the eastern edge of the John F. Gile Memorial State Forest. We “found” 36 species but only saw perhaps a half dozen. Definitely birding by ear. Ann and Marc are in the yellow shirts in the photo below.
I managed to photograph three species:
A very distant and uncommon Olive-sided flycatcher choosing as usual the most conspicuous perch available.
A brief look at a fairly close White-throated Sparrow.
And a Broad-winged Hawk circling high overhead.
