Another Lifer! Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher 4/21/2023

Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Plymouth, MA was such an amazing place to bird this past Friday although my main purpose for being there was to count herring for MA Audubon. Tidmarsh is a MA Audubon site that was an old cranberry bog. The old bog is being restored to its former glory and so much work is being done to make it inclusive for people and a prime site for birds. I count herring that are migrating up Beaver Dam Brook from Plymouth Harbor, and also use the time to do a little birding. One of the many goals that I had for this summer, besides finding a Pileated Woodpecker nest and hearing and photographing a Brown Creeper, was to find a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher. I was returning to my car after birding and walking for five miles all around the trails (Whew! After being laid up with Covid, this was quite the feat) when I played the Gnatcatcher's song. I will do this at times, not to call the birds, but to remind myself of what to listen for, when I heard them!

There were two flitting around in the trees right near my car and they were fast, more so than Kinglets. I was challenged to get a decent photo but persevered...

I also enjoyed seeing Tree Swallows, Bluebirds, an Eastern Screech Owl, American Goldfinches, and a nearby Great-Horned Owl nest. A more complete list is on eBird.

But....no Herring...