BirdWalk Newsletter 10.1.2017 Walk Conducted by Perry Nugent Newsletter Written by Jayne J. Matney Cover photo by Guenter Weber Not all birds are as colorful as the Prothonotary Warbler seen in the above photograph. Not all nests are as obvious as an Osprey nest on a tall open tower. It takes time and skill to train yourself to see what others don t necessarily see. Perry Nugent, our ornithologist in charge of our Sunday walks, is a master at the details and the not-soobvious in nature. This week, I thought it may be fun to show in photographs how hunting for the unexpected can be entertaining and
rewarding. In this way, when you are walking the property, maybe you will choose to slow down, train your eyes, and really search for the not-so-obvious as well. Enjoy. Photo top/center by John Nickerson Alligators love to make use of duckweed and other aquatic plants to camouflage themselves. Sometimes it is just eyes only! Bottom Photos by Jo Frkovich
Sometimes you have to look for the littlest of things. Photo above by Jo Frkovich- damsel fly Photo right by Guenter Weber- A dragon fly being eaten by a fly Frog in Duckweed Photo left by Richard Hernandez One of the littlest, fastest of birds Photo below by Guenter Weber A Butter Butt in the twigs Photo by Marina Coppedge
Camouflaged for nesting If you were out there today, would you spot the young eagle in this photograph to the right? Photo by Patrick DeLuca Can you find the Mississippi Kite in the photo below? Photo by Perry Nugent Black-crowned Night Heron juvenile on nest Photo above by Ray Swagerty Look straight up! You may miss something! Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Photo right by Ray Swagerty
Camouflaged right in the open! Would you have seen. This Song Sparrow in the brush? Photo left by Ray Swagerty The Gallinule amongst the vegetation? Photo right by Perry Nugent Or the snipe below? Photo by Cathy Padgett A Young Great Horned Owl as tree bark?! Photo Ray Swagerty
It takes a highly trained person, like Perry, to notice these while walking by! Leaves or maybe something else? Photo below by Perry Nugent Photo right- White-eyed Vireo by Ray Swagerty Swamp Sparrow in swamp reeds Photo by Ray Swagerty Swamp rabbit in swamp knees Photo by Perry Nugent
Sunday, October 1, 2017 was a gorgeous day of sunshine but mild, falllike weather. Six participants went out with Ray Swagerty to explore what this great weather had done for the bird populations. They found 38 species. After looking at the results, Anhinga with its catch! Photo by John NIckerson the fall birds are now arriving! The Camellia sasanqua plants are beginning to bud and bloom. The group decided to walk the regular routine in reverse this time. In addition, the woods and field behind Ravenswood was explored as a substitution for the large impoundment dike. Thus, the wading bird numbers are lower than usual, but the passerine varieties increased. Ravenswood allowed a clear view of some Wood Ducks and Bluewinged Teal. Both of the Blue-winged Teal seen were females mixed in with the Wood Ducks. Also at Ravenswood, White Ibis and Common Moorhen were viewed. In the woods and thicket between Ravenswood and the cabins, Gray Catbird and Yellow-throated Warbler were discovered. The birdwatchers found the best spot for observing the Pine Warblers to be in the field between the maintenance area and Ravenswood. Photo right by Richard Hernandez Wood Ducks before the storm
Because the weather is becoming more fall-like, the woods and thickets are becoming a treasure trove for many birds. For example, the Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Whitebreasted Nuthatch, Swainson s Thrush, Black-andwhite Warbler, and American Redstart were all accounted for. In addition, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Green Heron Photo by William Beebe and Pileated Woodpecker were all seen. The Carolina Wren and the Carolina Chickadee were being their noisy selves - typical of these two species. The Belted Kingfisher, with its very distinctive vocalizations, was located in the Audubon Swamp as well as the Northern Water Thrush, Great Blue Heron, and Great Egret. The female Summer Tanager was spotted early along the exit road during the morning walk. Mourning Dove, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tufted Titmouse, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, and Common Grackle were included in the count along the way. A Northern Parula was sighted in the gardens. Toward the end of the tour, the Bald Eagle and the Chimney Swift made their appearances. Belted Kingfisher Photo by Norma Armstrong