Weymouth Woods birding stroll

Howdee all,

This past Saturday Jeff and I took stroll to one of our favorite birding spots outside of my Sickstas yard, which in my opinion is very birdie. We drove about ten miles to Weymouth Woods.

It was early afternoon before we braved the coldish air…We are wimps these days and anything below 55 has us closeted away indoors seeking warmth.We did go out despite the chilly air…all bundled up in our thick fleece and down.

I don’t know the plant below..but I loved seeing the pink in the Long-needle pine forest.

This woods is famous for the declining population of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker..which we didn’t see this day…as we were out for a walk too…and didn’t want to spend the time searching the pines or waiting at the feeders..It was the type of birding day that if we heard birds, or saw movement we stopped, as we hiked the trail…but we didn’t go out of our way to find a bird. We know there are Bachmann's sparrows here..but didn’t bother to look…We get great views and songs from them here in the spring.

So…we walked the trail…and I saw these shrooms..Havent put and ID on them yet…Any ideas?

Looks like Orange Mock Oyster Mushroom..but not sure.We stood at this spot for a long time…this area dips down into the wet area…

Lots of Holly berries..which means lots of birds…especially Robins.We saw a few Pileated, Downy, and family of Red-headed Woodpeckers. We also heard and saw a few Fox sparrows..what a beautiful song.

After a few hours the sun was starting to go down and we were getting cold..

So we took the shortest trail back to our car.Below..young Long Needle Pine…Almost to the car…the sun lights up the distant grass..Time for a hot cup of tea!

Hope you are all staying warm…

Jeff and I did not venture outside at all yesterday..It was too cold..

How is it in your neck of the woods?

Chickadees nest in the Moon, Weymouth Woods walk.

Howdee all,

The Chickadees are nesting in the Moon again! In the first part of the video…notice one of them arriving …then singing…and the other leaves the moon.

We always go to Weymouth woods when we are here in NC. To see the Red-cockaded woodpecker and whatever birdies might be around.

These photos were digiscoped in November…when we just bought our scope.

We didn't bring the scope yesterday when we went out with the Ranger on a bird walk.

The highlights of the day were a Worm-eating Warbler..a life bird for us.

and the first Summer Tanager of the year here.

The ferns are just starting to unfold…

Look at how fuzzy these ferns are. I don't know what kind these are…

But I thought they were very cool.

Today we go on a wildflower walk with the ranger..So we will be able to put names with the wild flowers and ferns

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one below is so delicate and artful.

I have a thing for bark. My mother says she does too. I guess its genetic..tee hee

I don't know what this tree is but will find out today on our ranger walk. The pieces of bark jut out like buttons that need to be pressed back in.

 

 

 

 

 

Weymouth woods is a Long Leaf Pine woods, with some wetlands…

 

 

That's where I saw the Whirligig Beetles doing their thing.

Did you know that their eyes are divided so that they can see above and below the water at the same time? Did you know that they can fly?

I was fascinated by the patterns they were making in the reflections.

I found the last morels from across the street. We need more rain to flush some new ones out. Tonight we will get some.

Yippee

You must read this Morel story from a great blog i found recently

Down to Earth

Jay found some nice Morels with his Dad and as far as I know still hasn't picked them. I threatened to get them myself!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!