The first week of the count at Fort Holmes has been filled with amazing views and abysmal weather. Within the past few days, more species of raptors have started to trickle through. But, of course, only on the days where the snow isn’t falling, causing me to spend more time huddled in the fort than I would like. Someday soon, I’ll be able to spend a full day out on the lookout as a spectator to the wonders of the world.
If you are quiet and observant, there are some unbelievable things that you can witness. I’ve already had a few bald eagles who decided to circle low over the fort, seemingly just to show off their feathers. The first red shoulder of the season flew slowly along the eastern shore, making sure to flash its brilliant black and white tail in the sun, allowing me to follow it the entire way with the spotting scope. And of course, the northern goshawk who flew directly above me, giving me the once in a lifetime experience to see one of them up close. If these events are even slightly indicative of the experiences yet to come, I am in for a few incredible months.
And even during the lulls in migration when no raptors are circling the skies, the crows certainly put on a show. They are fun to watch as they hop along from branch to branch, puffing out their feathers as they caw into the treetops. One crow landed on the very peak of the fort to take some bites of snow before taking off again. Another flew past me with something shiny in its beak, which was clearly a beloved crow treasure, since it was followed by an army of more crows just cawing away at it. A friend of mine told me this week that I should learn to speak crow. I believe I should, just to be able to eavesdrop on their conversations during those long, lonely hours on the lookout.
Hopefully soon, the weather will be nice enough to have visitors to Fort Holmes, and maybe even visitors who are interested in listening to me talk about birds for a while. I am eagerly awaiting the day where I don’t have to dress like the Pillsbury Doughboy just to barely save my limbs from freezing off. But, with how unpredictable the weather on this little island is, who knows when that will be?
