Bridge to Nowhere 3/10--Boat-tailed Grackle

This is not the one in Alaska but the name alone is worth an entry. I've always been curious about this parcel of the extensive Forsythe Refuge. The bridge, such as it is, really would lead to nowhere--marshes on the western side of Barnegat Bay and what the idea of the bridge was originally is a mystery to me. I was especially interested to see what condition the road was in because American Woodcocks have been reported there and I wanted to see if it was the kind of road we'd be comfortable on driving in the dark. Answer: Yes.

With all that, the birding itself was a disappointment. Not too many waterfowl in the marshes. However, on a wire by the bridge we did see a big ole Boat-tailed Grackle.

After lunch we took a walk in Cattus Island Park. Nothing of note there. Last time I was there the bay was full of Buffleheads. Today there were only about 20. I think we're getting to that time of the year when we'll have to do our birding early in the morning. The birds, except around the feeders, seem to be disappearing mid-day.

Our 2 lists:
Bridge to Nowhere
9 species
Mute Swan  4
American Wigeon  1
American Black Duck  9
Mallard  2
Green-winged Teal  21
Turkey Vulture  6
Herring Gull  4
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Boat-tailed Grackle  1
Cattus Island County Park
14 species
American Black Duck  8
Bufflehead  20
Great Egret  1
Herring Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  1
Mourning Dove  2
American Crow  1
Carolina Chickadee  9
Tufted Titmouse  1
Song Sparrow  3
White-throated Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  5


Back at home, around 5:30 the Wild Turkeys were again the backyard. They also visited yesterday afternoon around lunch. We're referring to them as the Gang of Four. I guess so long as I throw down seed or cracked corn they'll be regulars. There is just something very, very funny about looking out your office window and seeing huge turkeys picking at the grass. 


I didn't realize they were iridescent--I guess I've never seen them in strong sunlight. Their necks have gorgeous blues and reds. And yet when you look at them, disregarding their coloration, they are really ungainly looking birds. An aesthetic conundrum.