The wife was feeling a little under the weather today and I took the kids out so she could get some quiet rest. We headed down along the Merrimack River looking for bald eagles. There were good reports of them downriver. The river was pretty socked in with ice until we found and area where the current picked up. We ended up at Deer Island in Amesbury/Newburyport, Ma. Birder watchers were already looking in the area. This first stop were saw four immature eagles about a 1/4 mile off, down river of the island. The wind was stiff and they were just gliding in the air currents looking for fish. There are four nesting pairs in a few towns along the river. They were not too common many years ago. I saw this gnarly cedar on the return trail to the lot. It was twisted in a spiral from the base to the top, and the branches radiating off were pretty amazing. We went along the river down to Plum Island and saw a mature eagle on the ice at the edge of the clam flats. Another flew over the truck going over the bridge to Plum Island. We headed up to the northern end of the island to look for seals, but only saw a flock of sea ducks out in the harbor. Usually the seals are on the rocks across the river. Here is a picture of the lighthouse on the island. The old coast guard station This last picture is of a cottage that has been on the Island for many years. This stretch of beach has seen a lot of sand get taken out over the last few years. The area where I am standing is usually buried under several feet of sand. It is a popular striped bass/bluefish area in the warm months. There are stone jetties that have been buried for years that are now exposed. The last two Nor'easters pulled tons of sand out. It is hard to believe that this building was what I thought of "well set back" from the ocean. The owners had all the stone brought in to try to keep the ocean from taking more dune. Our total wildlife viewing consisted of 6 eagles, 3 turkeys, 2 hawks, two loons in the ocean, lots of sea ducks, dabblers and geese.
Thanks Ray. I usually get out on the weekends to the local wildlife sanctuary during the winter for some hikes, but with the cold, wind and work, this is my first venture out this winter.
