This mornings hike took me along the east side plowed and unplowed roads. I was surprised to hear the crunching of tires in the beginning mile of my hike. Met some folks out participating in the annual bird count. Liking the solitude and quietness with early dawn I took the first un- plowed road. Only walking a short distance I picked up on a dark object moving on the road. Looking through my camera I could see it was a deer. I attempted to close the gap undetected. However the ice crunching under my boots alerted the deer..
Eventually I made my way to the reservoir with only seeing a couple of mallards. Tracks were plentiful this morning with seeing squirrel , rabbit, deer, coyote tracks.-
Jim
                                                                            Coyote Tracks

 Winters grip just about to settle in. With the cold snap coming at the beginning of the week should freeze the coves.

 

 

Yesterday I dropped off the eagle skull and feathers at the MFW office. All were concerned with the loss of an eagle but appreciated the evidence and the information I could provide. The number on the leg band was a Massachusetts band which provided data to the eagles start at Quabbin.

 

 MFW records indicate the eagle chick was banded May 31,2007. It weighed 7.5 lbs and was from the Mt Zion nest.

Jim

 

I passed the gate a little before 7:00 AM. It was poor light, but things would improve with the clear sky and the sun’s rays in the east. There was a dusting of snow, just enough to show any critters that might have crossed the road. The morning start was crisp with the temperature just about 17 degrees. Roaming a number of roads showed an occasional coyote track, one small deer, one moose and one set of bobcat tracks.
In the previous post I shared the finding of where it appeared an eagle was killed. I had reported the eagle feathers to MFW and was asked if I had found any legs bands. I didn't even give the leg band a thought with the initial find.
This day was getting away from me and I wanted to re-visit the eagle site before finishing my hike. Upon returning to the sight and slowing down there was a lot to see. Clearly this was an area that eagles frequented when feeding. Several bones that looked to be a deer, the shell of a painted turtle were lying out in the open. Looking the area completely over showed feathers strewn everywhere. Wanting to be sure I didn’t leave anything behind that might identify the eagle; I started walking a circle around what appeared to be the most feathers. After a short distance there a skull of the eagle laid next to a cattail reed.   I thought, what would be the chances of finding the leg band. Water was only a few yards from the eagle’s last stand. I continued on with my circles and to my surprise lying amongst the swamp grass and weathered reeds was a gold leg band
My days hike would take me twelve plus miles through the eastside woods with no photo opportunities. However, finding the eagle band and being able to provide MFW with factual information made for a good day.
Jim

Quabbin Eastern Shoreline. Low water level.

Bobcat Track

This Sunday morning hike would be a continuation of Saturday. Only two adult eagles flying overhead in the two and a half mile shoreline hike. Otters were plentiful with three playing in a shallow cove on the ice. A short distance later I found where an immature bald eagle did not fare too well. Looking at all the feathers would suggest this was its last stand. Continuing along the shoreline a single otter was pretty inquisitive of me and quite vocal. Leaving the water’s edge I picked up a road back to the truck. I did see a number of coyote scat and one bear scat. A little late for the bear to be out and about. Probably has found some type of food source to keep it active.

 Jim

Two otters playing without a care in the world

 Eagle feathers. One can only guess as to the cause. Clearly larger bones than just the bird. Maybe the eagle was feeding on a deer ( guess) and a coyote challenged the eagle?

 This single otter was clarely taken with the fact I was standing near the cove it wanted to enter.

 

With the low water conditions I decided to walk a section of shore on the eastside. Slowing down and investigating showed tracks of an occasional moose, consistent coyote tracks and one set of bobcat tracks. Wind was blowing pretty hard but that didn't stop the eagles from soaring.
Two double adult s and one single immature on the three and a half mile shoreline walk. To my surprise I rounded the last cove and watched a doe and skipper wading and drinking. I stayed undetected for a minute or so before the deer caught my scent and meandered back up into the woods
Jim
.
Bobcat Track In The Sand