Common Goldeneye in flight

December 30, 2013 in Nearby Waterbirds

The Common Goldeneye has been one of the most frequently seen wintering ducks this winter.  They are real beauties and wonderful to watch.  They tend to be skittish towards humans along the shoreline, and when in doubt, they will takeoff in flight right away.  In some locations, they will fly upriver and then reverse course on a downriver heading.  this allows time to set uop for some nice flight images!

Red-tailed Hawk in flight

December 27, 2013 in Nearby Landbirds

While observing one of the Bald Eagle subadults near the water on prospect Hill in Lawrence, had a nice opportunity to gaze upon this soaring Red-tailed Hawk!

Bald Eagle, subadult, Basic I, (leg band P/7)

December 27, 2013 in Bald Eagle

Great news from Mass Wildlife about this subadult observed and photographed on the Merrimack River in Lawrence.  This subadult eagle has burnt orange leg bands – After Chris Martin from NH Audubon insisted on P/7 as positive leg band ID, communicated this info to Mass Wildlife staff and received confirmation on banding, with details that this eagle had been banded June 12, 2012 in Amesbury with no other previous band reports!  Also heard from local area volunteer, Sally Chandler, who had discovered the nest and was present for banding of this bird — she is thrilled with this confirmed sighting — great teamwork among all parties!

14 Photos posted:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/153965493

Enjoy!

Common Goldeneyes in flight

December 27, 2013 in Nearby Waterbirds

Always a treat to watch the many wintering ducks along the Merrimack River.  This winter has been busy with Goldeneyes, all three Mergansers, and Buffleheads!

Bald Eagle adult in flight

December 27, 2013 in Bald Eagle

While making a morning check along the Merrimack River in North Andover, had a chance to watch this magnificent adult Bald Eagle go gliding by….what a treat!

Bald Eagle adult with GPS antenna

December 23, 2013 in Bald Eagle

This photo is posted courtesy of Doug Fernandes.  Doug is a college student in Lowell with local roots.  He has become very excited about birdwatching and bird photography.  After many visits to Lawrence hoping to watch and observe the Bald Eagles, he was richly rewarded.  He observed and photographed an adult with a GPS tracking antenna.  This adult has not been seen before in the local area.  Every effort will be made to look for this adult in the coming weeks, with the hope of being able to capture the leg band numbers for a positive identification.  Again, many thanks to Doug!

Bald Eagle, subadult II

December 19, 2013 in Bald Eagle

Just ten minutes after watching the adult, noticed a subadult perched on the north side of the river just west of where the Spicket River empties into the Merrimack.  This is the regular perch location for the eagles and it is just across from the parking lot on the west side of the NX Stage Medical Inc. building.  Buried in the tree branches was this subadult.  It flopped around and changed perches before circling twice and then heading downriver.  The movement provided a nice moment for flight images!  Enjoy!

6 action photos: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/153852374

Peregrine Falcon atop Verizon Cell Tower

December 19, 2013 in Verizon Cell Tower

The peregrines have been seen with much less frequency over the last two weeks.  This is very normal this time of year.  The Verizon cell tower has benn a regular off season perch location.  They may perch solo or as a couple atop the tower with great visibility.  It was nice to make this sighting and to check in with one of them being in the area!

Bald Eagle adult

December 19, 2013 in Bald Eagle

An overcast morning with winds out of West at 12 mph.  Temps just above freezing creating some light ground along the Merrimack River banks.  While on lookout for eagles, noticed a some type of disturbance down river that caused over 30 gulls to wheel up in a cloud of circling flight.  Sure enough, an adult eagle heads west up river and lands on a perch.  Leg bands visible but not clear enough o decipher digits on the bands.

Bald Eagles: subadult and juvenile

December 18, 2013 in Bald Eagle

On Wednesday afternoon, the younger bald eagles put on quite a show in flight up and down the Merrimack in the late afternoon sun.  The crows were out in full force and put plenty of energy into pestering the eagles, but to no avail.  The wind was just under 10 MPH from the west.  Ducks around included Common Goldeneyes, Red-breasted Mergansers and Common Mergansers.

Photos posted:   http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/153852366