Rock Point Rocks!

Thursday
30 April 2020
7:00 AM
55 degrees Farhenheit
cloudy, drizzly
Rock Point
Burlington, Vermont

“Good morning, birds!” said some walkers.

“Tweet-tweet-tweet!” responded some birds.

This morning, Sophia, Allegra, Emily and I ventured to Rock Point to check out some birds. Arriving at 7:00 AM on this cloudy fifty-something degree day, some Tufted-titmice welcomed us with their calls and chirps. We Began the walk to the sounds of Black-capped Chickadees and the bright splashes of yellow daffodils that speckled the trail.

We enjoyed listening to some White-throated Sparrows at the edge of a field. Just barely caught the sight of the distinguishing yellow spot on that striped head of theirs in some shrubs. At the same place, we heard the unmistakable hammering of a beak against a tree. As if he was performing for us, a White-breasted Nuthatch expertly scampered down an Eastern White Pine as he showed off his bright white belly. Four Black-capped Chickadees played around the shrubs near our White-throated Sparrow friend and made their way high into the trees before disappearing just as a Blue Jay emerged from the forest and perched on an evergreen. Precariously balanced on the top limb, he was silhouetted against the slightly bright gray sky and confirmed our speculations of his identity as he called his classic call.

We continued down the trail and enjoyed the sight of some beautiful rather conspicuous spring forest flowers. I adore plants and am always conflicted whether or not to have my eyes up to the trees to peep some avians or down to seek some herbs and ferns. While the wind was whistling across the lake at the point of our walk, birds were silent so I allowed my gaze to drift down to the ground. Early blue cohosh, Yellow trout lily, Liverwort, Early saxifrage, Siberian squill, Common periwinkle, Mountain bellwort, and Pennsylvania sedge all graced us with their flowers and inflorescences.

Plant identifying was a lovely time today! Birding today was full of common species and nothing particularly exciting. It was, however, particularly exciting to share birding with friends – while practicing safe social distancing – especially some that I haven’t seen in quite some time. Very grateful to have friends who enjoy slow, slow walks through the forest to identify plants and birds around the trail.

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