Category Archives: Cape Cod Birding

Beautiful Mute Swan At Herring Pond On Cape Cod.

You never know what you might see when you stop at Herring Pond in Eastham. This beautiful Mute Swan was swimming along so majestically and just looked so regal. What you can’t see are the other 13 Swans that are swimming nearby, as I could only get this one in the frame.

Isn’t he just beautiful? I love how his feathers are all puffed up!

Beautiful Ring-Necked Duck At Herring Pond On Cape Cod.

I look so forward to winter when the crew of “winter birds” shows up. They are so much fun to watch in the ocean and bays and salt marshes and ponds.

This Ring-necked Duck was swimming lazily in Herring Pond the other day. I always get a kick out of its name because the more noticeable ring is on its bill, not its neck.

Beautiful Red-Tailed Hawk At Fort Hill On Cape Cod.

We were driving out of the upper parking lot at Fort Hill the other day when Phil said,” What’s that up in that tree?” It looked like a white buoy or plastic bag stuck up there.

But, as we got closer, I realized that it was a Red-tailed Hawk perched way up on top of the tree. It looked almost like an ornament on top of a Christmas tree. How beautiful…

My First Ruddy Duck At Wiley Park On Cape Cod.

This was a first for me … seeing my first Ruddy Duck at Wiley Park. What  treat! Another bird species that I can add to my Life List.

“Ruddy Ducks are compact, thick-necked waterfowl with seemingly oversized tails that they habitually hold upright. Breeding males are almost cartoonishly bold, with a sky-blue bill, shining white cheek patch, and gleaming chestnut body. They court females by beating their bill against their neck hard enough to create a swirl of bubbles in the water.”

They are uncommon in this area in the winter. I guess I was lucky!