BirdWalk Newsletter Walk conducted by Perry Nugent Written by Jayne J Matney

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1 BirdWalk Newsletter Walk conducted by Perry Nugent Written by Jayne J Matney Natural History- The scientific study of animals or plants especially as concerned with observation rather than experimentation, and presented in popular form rather than academic form. Source: Dictionary.com Perry reminds me during our talks that whether you realize it or not, when you take photographs out in our natural world, you are showing glimpses of a story that is being told. Over the years, I have come to appreciate this fact more and more. You can look at a photo taken in the wild and can extract information about who the subjects really are, what is happening in the life of the subjects, and how these subjects interact with their environment. Most photos that are taken show beauty, but not all. Every one of them illustrates behaviors and the true, environmental integration of the natural world. We get our impressions and can infer from these photographic glimpses which are taken. Sometimes our impressions and inferences are scientific and this information can be used as examples, indicators, and inspiration of ideas. Sometimes our impressions and inferences from natural history photos can be emotional. Either way, both ways are important and both can broaden our minds. This week, take a look at some photos that show you the natural history of these animals. Challenge yourself to see what you can take away from these photos scientifically and emotionally. Photo left by Chuck Fuhrman Photo below by Jo Frkovich

2 Photos- top left: by Marina Coppedge, above right: by Jo Frkovich, left center: by John Nickerson, left bottom: by Jo Frkovich, right bottom: by Marina Coppedge

3 Magnolia Plantation has a direct connection to some of the most popular artists in history, such as John James Audubon, who studied the subjects and captured their images which are now appreciated for their illustration of an animal and the animal s natural history. Audubon will be a discussion on another day. Nature has been for me, for as long as I can remember, a source of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight: a home, a teacher, a companion. Lorraine Anderson Photo by Norma Armstrong On Sunday April 9 th 2017, the bird watchers were successful in locating 56 species on a cool, hazing, partly cloudy morning. First let us talk a bit about who was not in view this day. Our typical Green-winged Teal were not available to the onlookers, and Perry concedes that maybe they have gone to other places like Donnelly where he has observed them congregating. Another surprise no show was the American Coot. Perry notes that this is probably because the Bald Eagles (2 Adults and 1 Juvenile) were very visible and active in the sky and resting up in the trees near Perry Field. These hyper vigilant coots were more than likely hiding out in the tall cattails there. In the same waters, the Common Moorhen were not

4 so concerned. 22 individuals of this type of bird were going about their normal business. Also in the raptor family, an Osprey and a couple of Red-shouldered Hawk made the count. Along the river and cross dike, Least Terns flew by through the early fog, and Laughing Gull flew by later in the morning. In addition, Wood Duck and their babies were assembled, Pied-billed Grebe bobbed in the water, and a Wilson s Snipe waded carefully on the edge of the bank. To make the landscape more dimensional, the Marsh Wren were singing continuously along the cross dike. The highlights of the river and dike area were the sightings of a Forster s Tern and the possible nesting of a dozen or more Swamp Sparrow among the cattail blades. Their behavior was such that they were calling as they were looking down into the grasses and territorializing on the outskirts. If they are nesting here, this will be an interesting and unusual step in the right direction for the plantation s bird population. A mixture of Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture, which we now recognize as our friends (see last week s article), circled the skies above. In the Ravenswood and Audubon section of the plantation, Bluewinged Teal were the only other additional ducks. In fair numbers, the rookery is housing Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, and the Black-crowned Night Heron-most of them nesting. In low numbers, the Snowy Egret, Photo by Guenter Weber

5 Tri-colored Heron, Green Heron, and Glossy Ibis made appearances. Anhinga are definitely taking advantage of this preserve by settling in with nests everywhere. Canadian Geese were seen along the walk as well. According to Perry, the nesting tree in which the Prothonotary Warbler have used in the past has died. Therefore, the birdwatchers are always keeping a careful look out for where they have chosen to nest now. 4 of these warblers were counted this Sunday. Also in the warbler category, Northern Parula were seen and singing everywhere! The Black-and-White Warbler were seen right at the beginning of the walk in the parking lot. Yellow-rumped, Yellow Throated, and Prairie Warblers were also viewed. Three types of vireo made a stand here on this day: White-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, and Red-eyed Vireo. 200 or more Tree Swallow darted about with a dozen or so Barn Swallows mixed in the crowd. The Red-bellied, Downy, and Pileated Woodpeckers were seen and/or heard. To round out the population were: Mourning Dove, American Crow, Fish Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Rubycrowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common and Boattailed Grackles, and Brownheaded Cowbird. Photo by Marina Coppedge Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul- and sings the tunes without the words- and never stops at all. Emily Dickinson