Sometimes when it comes to finding unusual birds, instead of going to birding hot spots . . . one should just drive around doing normal things.

Today was a perfect example.

Le Garage, a local water front restaurant is closing at the end of the month after 40 years in business and Ingrid and I are trying to dine there a few more times before this local institution closes.

This morning we parked next to the restaurant and I noticed a bird sitting on a rock next to the Sheepscott river. The sun was bright and there was a lot of glare and we struggled to figure out what we were looking at . . . was it an Evening Grosbeak? A female House Finch? Something else?

When we arrived home, and looked at the photos . . . it was in fact something else . . . a Snow Bunting.

Ingrid and I have seen Snow Bunting 3 times in the last 3 years: once at the beach, once coming out of Ingrid’s Elementary School, at a flock flying by on the highway. To see one pose by the water for 10 minutes was a great surprise.

After brunch, we travelled to Hermit Island and got first of the year Snowy Egret and Tree Swallow.  A few posing birds for your enjoyment:

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”257″ display=”pro_mosaic”]On Thursday, we leave for Houston for a week of spring migration as birds cross the Gulf of Mexico.