PeakFest Bird Walk 2026

PeaksFest Bird Walk 2026

A beautiful morning – a crisp westerly wind with a variety of cloud coverage yet not blocking out sun rays shining through them. A small group of bird enthusiasts (Allison, Lynn, Maureen, Nancy, Sally and Pat) meet at the Transfer Station – a few chatting with Rob who will be leaving the island soon. Sam in the lead, we venture down Brackett Avenue toward the marshes where we find a lone birder (Gary) in search of our group. As we join forces Gary shares with us stories about other obscure but important Peaks Island critters: A large female snapping turtle that lays eggs in his yard; a very large female beaver who on occasion transits across the road between marshes;and a green frog that sounds like a bull frog (there are no bull frogs on Peaks Island), that we clearly hear in the marshes. Other amphibians, but not inclusive, are the spotted salamander, Northern tree frog, and American toad.And let’s not forget to mention the painted turtles frequently seen sunning in the marshes.

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How about the birds?  We talk about seeing fewer swallows on the island as compared to previous years. Over the years, nest boxes installed years ago have weathered and fallen into the marshes. Many dead trees with potential holes for nest building have also fallen into the marsh. But there is one small dead tree in the marsh with a hole in its side, and we see a Tree Swallow flitting in and out of it – carrying food. Glossy Ibises fly overhead – heading away from Ram Island where they nest * with several heron species. They visit Peaks Island to feed and perhaps bathe in our freshwater marshes. There are no marshes or ponds on Ram Island, but they are relatively safe there from ground predators.

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Hearing the Eastern Phoebe song, we head to Battery Steele where a pair nested in years past. A small graffiti-covered door is located midway along the Battery where the phoebe pair slipped in and out – hiding its nest from predators. But not this year.

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We hear a Great-crested Flycatcher at the pond across from the Battery Steele – finally we see the pair flitting on and off the large nest box, built for Wood Ducks. Are these little flycatchers nesting in this over-sized nest box? The flycatchers catch the sun rays showing off their elegant yellow-sienna color plumage.

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In all we saw or heard 26 species in two hours of watching and listening in the vicinity of the Transfer Station, Brackett Ponds, Battery Steele, the Triangle, and ABC Trail.

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*Maureen remembers seeing young Glossy Ibises on Peaks Island suggesting that they may have nested here in the past.

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We thank Faith and all the islanders who make PeaksFest a delightful experience.

Bird List

Mourning Dove

Herring Gull

Double-crested Cormorant

Glossy Ibis

Osprey

Bald Eagle – Chased by American Crow

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

Great Crested Flycatcher

Blue Jay

American Crow

Tree Swallow

Northern House Wren

Veery

American Robin

House Finch

American Goldfinch

Song Sparrow

Baltimore Oriole

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Common Yellowthroat

American Redstart

Yellow Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Northern Cardinal

By Patty and Sam Wainright