Eastern Kingbird

June 28, 2012 in Nearby Landbirds

How can you resist a glance at a beauty like this Eastern Kingbird while perched in a truck lot on Merrimack St. in Lawrence!

Young Peregrine on corner of Clock Tower

June 25, 2012 in On the Clock Tower

The young peregrines continue to hang around the Clock Tower.  Sometimes they seem to be gone for a few days and then return to various perch locations around the tower.  The adults always seem to be nearby keeping a watchful eye on the young ones but from a distance.  In this series, it looks like the adult is perched in the nest box and trying to figure out where the nearby young one is perched!

More photos posted: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/144331210  Click “next” in upper right to advance frames!

American Kestrel, female

June 22, 2012 in Nearby Landbirds

Just another image of the female American Kestrel perched near the nest!

Peregrine juvenile on rooftop

June 22, 2012 in Near the Clock Tower

While scanning the Merrimack River from the north side of the Duck Bridge, just happened to catch a view of one of the Peregrine juveniles perched on a Canal st. rooftop.  It spent some time flapping its wings and just hanging out.  An unexpected treat on the way to work!

Kestrels with prey

June 15, 2012 in Nearby Landbirds

Quite a show one morning with the male Kestrel returning to the nest hole opening with prey in bill.  Unable to tell exactly what the male had in tow.  Male Kestrel approached the nest opening and was greeted by the feamle.  The had some type of exchange and then the male departed for a nearby perch to enjoy the meal himself!

Photos posted: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/144330991  Click “next” in upper right to advance frames!

 

Cedar Waxwing

June 14, 2012 in Nearby Landbirds

This Cedar Waxwing was discovered as a total surprise while driving south on Rt 114 in Lawrence on the bridge over the Merrimack while entering South Lawrence.  A short glace to the left before the stoplight, at an apple tree, showed a bird that caught my attention.  WOW, a Cedar Waxwing!  Waxwings that breed here arrive in late May or early June.  Waxwings are known to be late nesters, often not beginning to nest until midsummer!

More photos posted online:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/144835431   Click “next” in upper right to advance frames!

Peregrine adult feeding juvenile pair

June 14, 2012 in Near the Clock Tower

While looking for Kingbirds from the Duck Bridge, the unmistakable call of the Peregrines floated through the air.  After looking all around in the normal perch locations, I looked up to the east end of a Canal St. building rooftop and observed an adult Peregrine feeding the two growing chicks.  It was quite a show and easy to observe from the bridge!  Flight images included!

Photos posted:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/144054722

 

Eastern Kingbird on nest at Duck Bridge!

June 14, 2012 in Nearby Landbirds

What a surprise to discover a Kingbird nest one morning while scanning for Peregrine Falcons over the Merrimack River.  The Duck bridge provides a terrific platform to scan up and won river for bird life and other creatures.  While keeping one eye open for fast moving bike riders, another eye is looking for bird life.  Lo and behold, a nest is noticed.  Further observation reveals a female Kingbird incubating eggs.  The female typically does most of the incubating with the male Kingbird ever-watchful and perched nearby to warn off unwelcome intruders!

A few more photos posted online:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/144835428   Click “next” in upper right to advance frames!

American Kestrel, female

June 12, 2012 in Nearby Landbirds

Female Kestrel perched on phone wire late afternoon outside of nest box.

Northern Flicker

June 11, 2012 in Nearby Landbirds

Northern Flickers nest in cavities that they excavate in live or dead trees, stumps, or posts.  Parents take turns incubating eggs.  This young flicker is scanning tht nearby surroundings!