Common Merganser
It was going to be a good walk as indicated by this Merganser who refused to get off the beach. I was able to get very close to the bird.
Common Merganser with chicks
I counted 12 chicks with this Merganser. The young birds like to ride up on their mother’s back, just like Loons. All the chicks won’t fit, but sometimes several chicks can find a free ride like these guys.
Broad-winged Hawk
The Broad-winged Hawk must have a nest in the vicinity again this year. Two Hawks were calling to each other and probably warning their chicks that there was danger in the area. They followed me as I walked through the clearing into the woods. I tried to find a nest, but sometimes that can be difficult as the chicks will freeze in the nest so finding any kind of movement is impossible. Their flimsy nest is usually well hidden, and the adults won’t go to the nest while they can see you.
Scarlet Tanager
The bonus bird this day was a beautiful male SCARLET TANAGER!
Scarlet Tanager
Those are some really beautiful birds. Lucky you to see them all. There are Broa-wings nesting somewhere up at Hasty too. The come screaming into our clearing most afernoons. I assume they’re checking it out for the mice and chipmunks under the feeders. We’ve found a few tails from Richardson’s ground squirrels nearby too.