Sandra from Long Island started the day with zero Spruce Grouse on her life list, but ended with six. Weather on the Burn Road in Topsfield was ideal today. While some of this year’s harvest remains to be picked up, I noticed no current logging operations going on. My only human encounters were with presumed bear hunting guides (two) who were staking out their bear baiting prospects.
Olive-sided Flycatchers were tending youngsters and they are now silly abundant. Spruce Grouse families continued to pop into the road sporadically. Gray Jays were also escorting juveniles. A Black-backed Woodpecker crossed the road in late morning and began a 15-minute siesta in front of us. Click here for the world’s most boring BBWO – a bird that barely blinked his eyes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXt6yd_9kEQ.
I have an informal goal of finding Gray Jay, Black-backed Woodpecker, Spruce Grouse, and Boreal Chickadee on the Burn Road by noon. But, like losing 10 pounds, that goal would be more achievable if I actually put in the effort. Today, the goal was achieved at 12:41pm, so I still have something to shoot for.
Perhaps the highlight of the day: Common Noonhawks. While nighthawks are known to sleep the day away along the mid section of the Burn Road, they spent the noon hour foraging and swooping. I will be sad to see them leave in about three weeks.
Lastly, I have to pay compliments to Baskahegan Company, landowner of the Burn Road and over 100,000 acres nearby. I visit many timber properties in the state, but no company does a better job of sustainable forestry. I could give a long list of things they do right, but just take my word for it.
Bob Duchesne
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