A second visit to Hammonasset Beach State Park was made a couple of days after my first on New Year's Day when it was warmer with the park surprisingly crowded with visitors.
The Mallard above (image 1) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
I again made a motor birding tour as the ankle heals. I gravitated to the pond northwest of the traffic circle which I consider a hotspot within the eBird hotspot devoting the two hours before sunset for observations.
The American Black Duck above (image 2) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
The Northern Harrier above (image 3) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
The Northern Harrier above (image 4) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
The Northern Harrier above (image 5) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
It was an enjoyable afternoon with comparatively balmy conditions. There was apparently not as great a need for the wildlife to take refuge in the pond this day as many flocks of birds flew past.
The Mallard above (image 6) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
The Great Blue Heron above (image 7) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
The Northern Harrier above (image 8) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
The Northern Harrier above (image 9) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
Hammonasset Beach State Park has shown great potential for interesting wildlife observations even with minimal exploration. The full tour of miles often noted in eBird reports for this venue seems prudent for the ultimate experience.
The Northern Harrier above (image 10) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
The Mallard above (image 11) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
The Green-winged Teal above (image 12) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
The Mallard above (image 13) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
eBirders Tina Green and
Frank Mantlick reported Hammonasset Beach State Park's 305th bird species (Barrow's Goldeneye) 15 February 2017.
The immature Sharp-shinned Hawk above (image 14) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
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The Mallard above (image 15) was photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in January 2017.
