Go Bird! Providence – Block Island

We ultimately made it to Block Island on Thursday… all 100 of us! Originally scheduled for Monday and Tuesday with half going each day, the weather finally broke for the ferry crossing on our last day of field trips. The trip over was a little rough with several of us getting quite soaked on both the second and third decks with a couple bow-crashers, but we got good looks at Common Eiders, DC Cormorants, Herring, Great Black-backed, and Laughing Gulls, and some distant scoter flights, while some saw a fly-by Peregrine Falcon with meal in tow.

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Once on Block Island, two trips in the colorfully painted island shuttle bus and two vans got us all to the north end where most of the errant migrating passerines stage before jumping back to the mainland to continue southward.  Good looks at Lesser Black-backed Gull welcomed us there before heading into the trees and scrub for passerines. While the diversity was ample, the howling wind kept the looks at all but a few to quick glances as the birds flitted about. Most abundant were Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers and Red-breasted Nuthatches, but Blackpoll Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Clay-colored Sparrow and others were seen as well. A young Peregrine livened things up a bit before we broke for lunch, as did a soaring Osprey.

Having lunch for 100 when you thought you would have no more than 55 birders on the island at once makes for an interesting time. Most of us just plopped right down along the roadside against one of the ubiquitious stone walls of which there is no shortage in Rhode Island.

Post lunch had us shuttling folks to the ferry dock restrooms where some chose to explore the town while others headed up to one of the numerous bird sanctuaries on the island, this one in the center near the airport. The highlight for many was seeing four perched Peregrines in one scope view while a 5th harrassed them. While returning to catch the ferry, a gliding Cooper’s Hawk, a careening Northern Harrier, and a pond full of ‘puddle ducks’ showed the way. At the docks was another Lesser Black-backed Gull, a murder of Fish Crows, and a couple Great Cormorants perched on the pilings.

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The ferry ride back was a bit calmer and we ended the field trip portion of the event with a healthy respect of the effects of weather on the birds. I think I speak for all when I say we will be back, either in other birding groups or as individuals, to Block Island. Rhode Island Audubon, http://www.asri.org/, holds annual three day trips in fall to the island. With leaders like event Field Trip Coordinator Mike Tucker, and Jan St. Jean and Patty O’Neal, the experience will be well worth it! Just try to pick a day with clear skies and little wind!