When we used to hike Beech Forest Trail about 15-20 years ago, people would bring seed to feed the birds. They became friendly and would land on your hand anytime looking for food. The last time we hiked there, feeding the birds and wildlife was illegal as they realized the birds and animals would get dependent on the food and not fend for themselves in the winter.
We haven’t hiked there in about 15 years, so it was such a treat to walk the trail again. I put my hand out for old time’s sake (I did not have any food) and a little Black-capped Chickadee landed on my finger. Phil happened to have his camera ready.
We could see a lot of birds out in the water at Coast Guard Beach, but it wasn’t until we got home and saw them on the computer that we realized they were White-winged Scoters. What a treat!
White-winged Scoters have a black body with a white eye patch and a white patch on the underside of its wings that you can see better when it flies. They can be seen on Cape Cod and along the eastern coast during the winter. This is the first “winter” seabird that we’ve seen this season.
I was taking a hike at Fort Hill and stopped at Hemenway Landing when I heard this racket out on the marsh. There were hundreds of Double-Crested Cormorants in a huge group, or flight, on the water. I’ve never seen anything like this before. Were they all congregating together before they start their migration? Was there really good fish in the water?
I did not see any of them diving, so I didn’t think it was a feeding frenzy. Does anyone have any idea what would cause this?
There were a few Semipalmated Plovers scurrying around on the flats at Skaket Beach the other day. They sure do move fast! Love the distinctive black ring around their necks.
Semipalmated Plovers usually migrate right around now, so you’re lucky if you see one!
When a crab washes up on shore, it’s lunch for the first finder, which happened to be this Seagull. He wasn’t letting it go as other Seagulls landed nearby.
He certainly was going to enjoy himself!
Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.
