tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70272755683522430662024-03-13T09:26:13.782-04:00Piedmont Birding Taylor Piephoff's guide to knowing and understanding our feathered friends.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-3168184767432915262016-07-20T07:05:00.000-04:002016-07-20T07:05:08.169-04:00Waders Filtering Into the Area Now<div class="MsoNormal">
One cool morning about ten days ago following a night of
heavy storms I decided to check some local wetlands for dispersing long-legged
waders. Herons and egrets are on the move in mid-summer and I was hoping the
overnight storms had grounded a few moving birds. Days during and following
unsettled weather are often productive for birders.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I stopped first at an extensive wetland behind Pike’s
Nursery off Johnston Road. Immediately I saw a white heron hunkered down in the
thick, choking vegetation. The small size and black-tipped bluish bill quickly identified
the bird as an immature little blue heron. Not a rare bird necessarily but a
species that may not show up every year here either. A loud high pitched <i>keow </i>caught my attention and I soon saw
a green heron perched on a dead tree trunk clearly agitated by a pair of
juvenile red-shouldered hawks on another dead tree. That little heron even
successfully convinced one hawk to switch perches. Green herons are the
smallest waders that we regularly see in the area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I next checked a nice beaver-created wetland off Arrowood
Road. Here I found not one but three little blue herons. Like the first they
were half hidden by the thick aquatic growth. All three were slowly picking
their way along, one slow step at a time. I soon realized they were patiently
and successfully foraging for green tree frogs in the plant material. Nearby,
an even smaller green heron sat perfectly motionless for over 10 minutes on a
log, peering into the water perhaps to catch a minnow or tadpole. That provided
a nice study in the contrasting feeding styles of the two species.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On to Walker’s Cove along the Catawba River where four great
blue herons, two great egrets, and yet another little blue heron were hanging
out. Great egrets, by virtue of their large size and longer legs, prefer to
feed by standing relatively still in deeper water and waiting for a careless
fish or frog to come close. Great blue herons employ a similar strategy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So I considered the morning’s endeavor a success. There weren’t
any big surprises or rarities but it is nice to find a total of five little
blue herons at three separate locations anytime in Mecklenburg County.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn72MTr9qi0/V49aUR9huBI/AAAAAAAAANo/6NOEEZZPNI8N3Kw4Ccp_upTMKfNbb_tKgCLcB/s1600/Little%252520Blue%252520Heron%252520Fowler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn72MTr9qi0/V49aUR9huBI/AAAAAAAAANo/6NOEEZZPNI8N3Kw4Ccp_upTMKfNbb_tKgCLcB/s400/Little%252520Blue%252520Heron%252520Fowler.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Blue Heron by Phil Fowler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-52987236640954291862016-07-19T06:16:00.000-04:002016-07-19T06:16:49.244-04:00Fall Migration Underway!<div class="MsoNormal">
I spent the morning last Saturday checking some wetlands
along the Catawba River in search of wading birds and shorebirds. At one stop I
flushed a mid-sized shorebird from the shoreline that gave a few high-pitched
calls and flew away in a distinctive stiff winged flight. It was a spotted
sandpiper, not an uncommon bird at all but a significant find on that day.
Though the date was July 16, it signaled the start of fall migration through
Mecklenburg County. Spotted sandpipers do not nest here, they are only
migrants.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It seems shorebirds are always on the move. It was less than
60 days ago that I saw a couple of spotted sandpipers at a local pond. Those
birds were still heading north. Many shorebirds have a very short nesting
window of time. Their young hatch already able to run and forage for
themselves. Once the chicks reach a certain size and age the adults may go
ahead and start moving south. The chicks lag behind until they are strong
enough to move south too. Shorebirding aficionados know the earliest migrants
to appear are adults. The juveniles come later.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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From now until early October it may be possible to find
adults and juveniles of many species if good habitat develops. That is always a
big IF. More than any other avian group that passes through our area,
shorebirds are affected by weather conditions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Shorebirds generally require exposed mudflats or muddy
shorelines. Last year excessive drought resulted in low water levels and the
resultant great habitat produced a shorebird bonanza along the river. We have
had a lot of rain recently and water levels are high. Rainfall amounts over the
next month will be critical to determine how good the shorebirding will be in
the piedmont this year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The fall migration period lasts much longer than spring. The
sense of urgency that migrants have in the spring is absent from the fall
journey. The travelers take time to fatten up, moving south only when
conditions are conducive to travel. Most July and August days are too hot for
this birder to spend in the field. There will be plenty of time to catch the
fall migration, but that little spotted sandpiper definitely got me thinking
about it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIRMxcIq77Y/V41gnAWBgUI/AAAAAAAAANY/2rAwOlVg5xUbUjMqkkNxouz-Mb0KsID4gCLcB/s1600/Spotted_Sandpiper_16617724013_af8a4e46ea_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIRMxcIq77Y/V41gnAWBgUI/AAAAAAAAANY/2rAwOlVg5xUbUjMqkkNxouz-Mb0KsID4gCLcB/s400/Spotted_Sandpiper_16617724013_af8a4e46ea_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Sandpiper by Lee Weber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-85941683256908638402016-07-07T06:06:00.000-04:002016-07-07T06:06:17.819-04:00Dispersing Herons Coming Into Our Area Now<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">July happenings for our local bird populations include dispersing herons from areas
further south or further east where they breed. Two herons are common breeders
in Mecklenburg County; the great blue heron and green heron. Yellow-crowned
night-herons also nest here but are rare and very local.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Most often white herons like great egrets, little blue heron
immatures, and snowy egrets are noticed but other less common to downright rare
species show up. A large dispersing flock of great egrets was seen last weekend
at Cowan’s Ford Refuge in Huntersville. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Check out neighborhood retention ponds,
apartment or park lakes, and any other wetlands for these large and conspicuous
birds. If you notice an odd or different
wader, try to get a photo and send it to me. It might turn out to be something
noteworthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Below are some of the most expected summer additions:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The great egret is the most common and conspicuous. almost as large as a great blue heron, note the long yellow bill in combination with long black legs.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsaxAzGIpW0/V3zOAir5PPI/AAAAAAAAAMw/SxDqvZH7u1YTZ1gNDP1GNSbEASws_Pd2QCLcB/s1600/great%2Begert.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsaxAzGIpW0/V3zOAir5PPI/AAAAAAAAAMw/SxDqvZH7u1YTZ1gNDP1GNSbEASws_Pd2QCLcB/s400/great%2Begert.JPG" width="362" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Egret by Taylor Piephoff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Little blue herons are much smaller, have light-colored greenish legs and a bluish gray upper bill. Only the juveniles are white.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHsrDTv-5M0/V3zObyaqumI/AAAAAAAAAM0/r_i8Vqe1ekoY78ecVPm_oERUs2TlOIoHwCLcB/s1600/Little_Blue_Heron07012012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHsrDTv-5M0/V3zObyaqumI/AAAAAAAAAM0/r_i8Vqe1ekoY78ecVPm_oERUs2TlOIoHwCLcB/s400/Little_Blue_Heron07012012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Blue Heron Juvenile by Phil Fowler</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The adults are blue and brown.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLg2UhladdQ/V3zPFffS3kI/AAAAAAAAAM8/XOtIntEY-cwjl7BCxvYjHBN3ADJ-hBCTgCLcB/s1600/Little_Blue_Heron_16969477250_ca05a3b42e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLg2UhladdQ/V3zPFffS3kI/AAAAAAAAAM8/XOtIntEY-cwjl7BCxvYjHBN3ADJ-hBCTgCLcB/s400/Little_Blue_Heron_16969477250_ca05a3b42e_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Little Blue Heron by Lee Weber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Snowy Egrets are smaller still. Note the black bill and yellow feet.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYN2AFPD-1M/V3zPZHtjSGI/AAAAAAAAANE/z4sfXkOvY_UY2sVT4t7VMSA5Ql9EF_VNACLcB/s1600/Snowy_Egret_0813x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYN2AFPD-1M/V3zPZHtjSGI/AAAAAAAAANE/z4sfXkOvY_UY2sVT4t7VMSA5Ql9EF_VNACLcB/s400/Snowy_Egret_0813x.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Egret by Jeff Lewis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-79812215273202546482016-06-30T06:22:00.000-04:002016-06-30T06:22:39.923-04:00Young Hawks Fledging Now; What Are You Seeing?<div class="MsoNormal">
Young hawks of several common local species are fledging
right now. Even after they fledge many continue to beg for food from the
parents; often loud and incessantly in a shrill high-pitched scream. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Many of the young birds, while capable of flight, end up on
the ground in residential areas if that is where the nest was. I get lots of
photos sent to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Often there is confusion as to what species they are.
Juvenile plumages of our local hawks vary somewhat from that of the adult
plumage. While adults are very attractively marked, the juveniles are mostly
brown with more vertical streaking on the chest and belly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Below are some examples of the adult plumages of three of our
most common residential hawks and the corresponding juvenile plumages.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The red-shouldered hawk is the most common and conspicuous residential hawk. The attractive adult is shown below.<br />
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly9UL1fDCWw/V3R4YGVW1HI/AAAAAAAAALw/C1aq9I2-uuU72sX-1f2EvQu5T0OEAlrEQCLcB/s1600/Red-shouldered_Hawk_IMG_5279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly9UL1fDCWw/V3R4YGVW1HI/AAAAAAAAALw/C1aq9I2-uuU72sX-1f2EvQu5T0OEAlrEQCLcB/s400/Red-shouldered_Hawk_IMG_5279.jpg" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Red-shouldered Hawk by Lee Weber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The red-shouldered juvenile is vertically streaked on the pale breast and is an overall brown color on the top side.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E2HuwRU7_g4/V3R4gACY0fI/AAAAAAAAAL4/VmrBSISYFA8DXMAzpRLvXqaPmuq80fccACLcB/s1600/rsha_ennis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E2HuwRU7_g4/V3R4gACY0fI/AAAAAAAAAL4/VmrBSISYFA8DXMAzpRLvXqaPmuq80fccACLcB/s400/rsha_ennis.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk by John Ennis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The adult Coopers hawk is somewhat similar to the adult red-shouldered with the rusty breast but has a steel-blue top side.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CU1NhRmzeo4/V3R5YGTHe7I/AAAAAAAAAME/4a2p5RX12FwiVlDECCteruV4dnitO4JEACLcB/s1600/Coopers_Hawk_1774a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CU1NhRmzeo4/V3R5YGTHe7I/AAAAAAAAAME/4a2p5RX12FwiVlDECCteruV4dnitO4JEACLcB/s400/Coopers_Hawk_1774a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Cooper's Hawk byLee Weber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Juvenile Cooper's, like the red-shouldered, are vertically streaked on the breast. the streaks are finer and more defined.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FMhtGfvA-GY/V3R5tp9QCjI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/14NcT8fOPV86ae6ZTUsy8ORsGa2F7aqfgCLcB/s1600/Coopers_Hawk_COHA31jul15NH-38-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FMhtGfvA-GY/V3R5tp9QCjI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/14NcT8fOPV86ae6ZTUsy8ORsGa2F7aqfgCLcB/s400/Coopers_Hawk_COHA31jul15NH-38-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Cooper's Hawks by Jeff Lewis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The red-tailed hawk adult is easily distinguished by the bright rufous tail, even in flight from below.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ooiHCsqa7os/V3R4N4XGryI/AAAAAAAAAMA/MOoiRrfDD8QcypMiidURD5UvzX_el3tawCKgB/s1600/Red-tailed_Hawk_ReedyCreek03122011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ooiHCsqa7os/V3R4N4XGryI/AAAAAAAAAMA/MOoiRrfDD8QcypMiidURD5UvzX_el3tawCKgB/s400/Red-tailed_Hawk_ReedyCreek03122011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Red-tailed Hawk by Phil Fowler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The juveniles lack the rufous tail, and can be separated from the other two species by the unmarked white upper chest with a variable belly band underneath.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ssTXCCG8YhE/V3R6bRvFMoI/AAAAAAAAAMc/vX8klxPlO0M3wXJZaZvvtogX1xg8fzPVgCLcB/s1600/HHGREGWetlands05302010%252520Red-tailed%252520Hawks%252520001%252520Fowler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ssTXCCG8YhE/V3R6bRvFMoI/AAAAAAAAAMc/vX8klxPlO0M3wXJZaZvvtogX1xg8fzPVgCLcB/s400/HHGREGWetlands05302010%252520Red-tailed%252520Hawks%252520001%252520Fowler.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Red-tailed Hawks by Phil Fowler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-77361109057554613222016-06-20T06:17:00.000-04:002016-06-20T06:17:28.205-04:00Hummingbird Shortage? I Think Not.I have been getting a lot of questions from concerned backyard birders about a perceived shortage of hummingbirds right now. The concern is that most of the folks have been enjoying good numbers of birds in past years but not this year.<br />
<br />
Don't worry, there is no decline or crash in the ruby-throated hummingbird population, either locally or nationally. <br />
<br />
I suspect those I am hearing from are remembering when seemingly dozens of birds were fighting over the feeders and providing entertaining aerial and chase sequences. You can expect the same thing in just a few weeks. Remember hummingbirds are territorial and will not tolerate intruders during the nesting season. Feeders may get periodic visits from a pair of birds if it is located in their territory but the constant activity of August and September will have to wait.<br />
<br />
By late July nesting is pretty much over and the business of fattening up for the fall journey begins in earnest. Young and mature birds disperse and start to inundate feeders, providing non-stop activity. Nectar and sugar water becomes the major food source for fat gain instead of the protein dominated diet of the previous months.<br />
<br />
So be patient and keep the feeders fresh and stocked, I can virtually guarantee it won't be too long before the feeders will be a-buzz with action.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RCJILfHKnFA/V2fCLG4rTaI/AAAAAAAAALY/5PK_kxHq9pY9-tl1IV4KDPD-5ECznCdpwCLcB/s1600/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird_2013_04_23_8794_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RCJILfHKnFA/V2fCLG4rTaI/AAAAAAAAALY/5PK_kxHq9pY9-tl1IV4KDPD-5ECznCdpwCLcB/s400/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird_2013_04_23_8794_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Phil Fowler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-62067710623147112302016-06-10T05:45:00.000-04:002016-06-10T05:45:14.541-04:00One of the Area's Most Unusual Birds EverI have written about rarities that are attracted to large inland reservoirs but I never thought I would be writing about this one; a brown booby has appeared at Lookout Shoals Lake on the Catawba County / Iredell County line, specifically at the Sharon Boat Access area. I have seen the species only twice in North Carolina; both times at the coast.<br />
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Boobies are a family of mostly tropical, heavy bodied plunge-divers. They are found over the open ocean where they dive head-first for fish in tropical waters or along the warm Gulf Stream. Occasionally an individual of one of the several species will show up on a southeastern beach, jetty, or buoy marker.</div>
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The occurrence of this species between Charlotte and Hickory is absolutely astounding This bird has taken up on a favorite perch on a rock outcrop where it has been seen by many birders over the last week and a half. It seems content, and can be seen plunge-diving for fish in the larger portions of the lake.</div>
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Why this bird arrived in the North Carolina Piedmont is a mystery. Boobies are known to wander well north of the tropics but rarely inland. Maybe this is just a wandering bird, or perhaps it was influenced by the recent Tropical Storm that came in near Charleston. The true answer will not be known. And it is unknown when this bird will decide to move on, which it inevitably will. for now though, it seems entirely content to stay put.</div>
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Regardless, this is one of the rarest birds to ever be found in our area.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIaU_bxRvvI/V1YwQtKNrII/AAAAAAAAALE/rMkGy2n_bVoMrUL-FwODqi0Ja2JAktg5QCLcB/s1600/Brown_Booby_13307474_10206672526115289_602036689748377509_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIaU_bxRvvI/V1YwQtKNrII/AAAAAAAAALE/rMkGy2n_bVoMrUL-FwODqi0Ja2JAktg5QCLcB/s400/Brown_Booby_13307474_10206672526115289_602036689748377509_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Booby at Lookout Shoals by Lori Owenby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Here are details and directions from the Carolinabirds listserve:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">To get to the Sharon Boat<br />
access area, take I-40 to exit 141 and go north on Sharon School Rd for 1.4<br />
miles and turn left onto Island Ford Rd. Follow Island Ford Rd for 0.4<br />
miles and turn right onto Old Lion Rd and follow it to the end where the<br />
boat access is. The Booby flew (presumably to feed) toward the Catawba<br />
County side and out of sight. If you look for it from the Catawba County<br />
side, the rock it is favoring is the smaller rock ledge to the left of the<br />
large rock face that is most visible.</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-78269676341306542222016-06-07T05:58:00.002-04:002016-06-07T05:58:27.753-04:00Highlights of My Breeding Bird Route Survey<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Sunday I surveyed a breeding bird route from Camp
Stewart Road in eastern Mecklenburg County through Cabarrus County, ending up
at the Stanly County line. The North American Breeding Bird Survey is
administered by the USGS (United States Geological Survey) and depends on
volunteer support each year to gather the needed data. Data can then be
analyzed to assess changes in bird populations with respect to habitat change,
habitat loss, development, and changes in land use.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The survey consists of computer generated routes chosen at
random. Each route is 25 miles in length, with a stop every half mile.
Volunteer counters record every species and number of individuals for a period
of three minutes at each stop. The same route is run every year, ideally by the
same volunteer. The particular route I checked has the majority of stops in
rolling farmland and rural state roads. A few stops are at bridges where thick
deciduous forest lines the creeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Species typical of open country and regenerating clearcuts
were then the most prevalent. Killdeer, Eastern kingbirds, indigo buntings,
blue grosbeaks, Eastern meadowlarks, orchard orioles, yellow-breasted chats,
common yellowthroats, chipping sparrows, and field sparrows were well
represented. I was particularly glad to find grasshopper sparrows, a declining
species, at multiple stops. At the bridges summer tanagers, red-eyed vireos,
and great crested flycatchers ruled. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This particular route has been sampled for years, so it is pretty rare to add a species that has never been recorded on it. This year I was able to add four new birds: wild turkey, hairy woodpecker,
Acadian flycatcher, and prairie warbler. The turkey is reflective of a boom in
that species’ population while the prairie warblers were in regenerating clear
cuts. That is an example of how habitat is created for certain species. The
hairy woodpecker and Acadian flycatcher likely had been just missed in past
years. Remember each stop is only for three minutes. If the bird doesn’t chirp
or fly into view it will go missing. And I missed some species that are
regularly seen most years too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Still, I ended up with 62 species for the morning effort. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For more information on the N.A. Breeding Bird Survey go to <a href="http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs">www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs</a>/. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h3ZPs6nRPs8/V1Ys-whWqcI/AAAAAAAAAKY/7zTrlJXhxRwDSoRozDHbIXMl6U9EWMrqACLcB/s1600/Prairie%252520Warbler%2525208apr10AR%252520Lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h3ZPs6nRPs8/V1Ys-whWqcI/AAAAAAAAAKY/7zTrlJXhxRwDSoRozDHbIXMl6U9EWMrqACLcB/s400/Prairie%252520Warbler%2525208apr10AR%252520Lewis.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prairie Warbler by Jeff Lewis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Prairie warblers need regenerating clear cuts in the piedmont for suitable nesting habitat. Long ago this habitat type was provided by periodic fires. Now, human clear-cutting provides it. The birds can only use it for a relatively short period years until the growth becomes too tall and thick. Large power-line cuts where the growth is controlled now gives more permanent habitat to the species.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml7I8THso20/V1YuIbhnyTI/AAAAAAAAAKk/XLqP9l8g4iwy1bYXuJ_37KebyjgAOANKgCLcB/s1600/Wild_Turkey_2280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml7I8THso20/V1YuIbhnyTI/AAAAAAAAAKk/XLqP9l8g4iwy1bYXuJ_37KebyjgAOANKgCLcB/s400/Wild_Turkey_2280.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Turkey by John Ennis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Turkeys have exploded all over in the past couple of decades. They can be seen well within the city limits of large cities like Charlotte now.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrS5HkqO1Gg/V1Yuw85ghWI/AAAAAAAAAKs/s_p-yW4rwXATJgQQ8jFS3_olAU05ELd1ACLcB/s1600/Grasshopper_Sparrow_2015-05-02_CBC_Clemson_075-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrS5HkqO1Gg/V1Yuw85ghWI/AAAAAAAAAKs/s_p-yW4rwXATJgQQ8jFS3_olAU05ELd1ACLcB/s400/Grasshopper_Sparrow_2015-05-02_CBC_Clemson_075-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasshopper Sparrow by Jim Guyton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Grasshopper sparrow are dependent on old grassy fields, often associated with old farms, for nesting habitat. The habitat is fast disappearing nationwide</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9UC3WuHkng/V1YvXHatDnI/AAAAAAAAAK4/Wqp_epMOr80TJFUjMyAXRrTqnOhsjcH_QCLcB/s1600/Eastern_Meadowlark_6813a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9UC3WuHkng/V1YvXHatDnI/AAAAAAAAAK4/Wqp_epMOr80TJFUjMyAXRrTqnOhsjcH_QCLcB/s400/Eastern_Meadowlark_6813a.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Meadowlark by John Ennis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Eastern meadowlarks are found in the same areas as grasshopper sparrows</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-37011820860505738982016-06-01T06:12:00.000-04:002016-06-01T06:12:58.836-04:00Some Confusing Plumages for Some Common Birds<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">In my column l</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">ast
week I mentioned my birding group at Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge enjoyed
views of a first-year male orchard oriole. I received several inquiries as to
how I knew how old the bird was. Many sandpipers have distinctive juvenile
plumages that the birds hold through the fall migration. Gulls can take from
two to four years to reach maturity and may have a distinctive plumage for each
year of their immaturity. Each spring, area birders see some summer tanagers
that are in the process of molting into adult male breeding plumage from
immature plumage, but those birds are rapidly coming into the adult plumage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
orchard oriole is somewhat unique among our common breeding birds in that it
has a first-year male plumage that is very different from the adult plumage.
The young birds arrive in the spring along with mature adult males, sing the
same song, and establish territories. But where two year-old males and older
have a familiar oriole pattern of black and chestnut the younger birds are
lemon yellow with a prominent black bib. It can be extremely confusing to an
inexperienced birder. It looks like a completely different species, and though
most field guides depict the younger male plumage it is often overlooked when
thumbing through identification references.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Though
the younger birds are able to reproduce they have difficulty in finding a mate
because females usually will pick an adult male to maximize nesting success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another
songbird that causes similar confusion is the American redstart. Like the
orchard oriole, the one year-old males do not attain the black and orange
plumage of adults until they are two years old. These males closely resemble
females and will sing the American redstart song during migration and through
the breeding season, but also are less unsuccessful at breeding for the same
reasons as the orchard oriole. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
both species, it may be a strategy to enable females to readily identify the
younger, inexperienced males in order to pick a male that is better able to
select and defend a territory; and help with parenting duties. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBhmUyuJT4I/V04qrbbci8I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/uis_msNPxoEzH3MGXY3UoPVnJWnOieiXQCKgB/s1600/Orchard_Oriole-_1st_year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBhmUyuJT4I/V04qrbbci8I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/uis_msNPxoEzH3MGXY3UoPVnJWnOieiXQCKgB/s400/Orchard_Oriole-_1st_year.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Year Male Orchard Oriole by Lee Weber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toyJzt9hjOA/V04r3V82W3I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Ih_oCSg1Yp0RHxSyKb_BAzzExk08fYFygCLcB/s1600/Orchard_Oriole_1374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toyJzt9hjOA/V04r3V82W3I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Ih_oCSg1Yp0RHxSyKb_BAzzExk08fYFygCLcB/s400/Orchard_Oriole_1374.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two + Year Old Male Orchard Oriole by John Ennis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00IH0EScnrQ/V04sRFYduaI/AAAAAAAAAKE/uElDDaRXbmk2mTijLWRFOs-VA-INWdZEACLcB/s1600/AMRE20sep10RI%252520049_Lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00IH0EScnrQ/V04sRFYduaI/AAAAAAAAAKE/uElDDaRXbmk2mTijLWRFOs-VA-INWdZEACLcB/s400/AMRE20sep10RI%252520049_Lewis.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Year Male-plumaged American Redstart by Jeff Lewis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o178Z_COZBk/V04sMTzx2bI/AAAAAAAAAKA/v79FTQQiEAk3fINAV4e4QEJ01yLFPPbaACKgB/s1600/American_Redstart_2013_05_12_9035_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o178Z_COZBk/V04sMTzx2bI/AAAAAAAAAKA/v79FTQQiEAk3fINAV4e4QEJ01yLFPPbaACKgB/s400/American_Redstart_2013_05_12_9035_edited-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two+ Year Old Male American Redstart by John Ennis</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-24111203476673549492016-05-20T05:57:00.000-04:002016-05-20T05:57:10.994-04:00A Perfect Cup of Field SparrowsWhile scanning the sky for soaring raptors recently at Cowan's Ford Refuge, some nearby agitated chip notes grabbed my attention. It was an adult field sparrow with a beakful of caterpillars, or grasshoppers, or some insect.<br />
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From experience I knew I was close to a nest. It took about two minutes to locate it in a waist-high pine sapling in a power line right-of-way. Close examination revealed four nestlings big enough to fill the open cup. Below is the nest.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_zyEhH7oG9o/Vz0eQdjV-tI/AAAAAAAAAJc/l253DIWmMtggD05O56DzS-5zVPEZxokTQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_zyEhH7oG9o/Vz0eQdjV-tI/AAAAAAAAAJc/l253DIWmMtggD05O56DzS-5zVPEZxokTQCLcB/s400/IMG_0493.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Sparrow Nestlings by Taylor Piephoff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d42iqyGOpAE/Vz0e5Wb3keI/AAAAAAAAAJg/DapCtRbYjlQQU5UbPCVAxIVbjQpsTHu9wCLcB/s1600/BigDay05012011Field001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d42iqyGOpAE/Vz0e5Wb3keI/AAAAAAAAAJg/DapCtRbYjlQQU5UbPCVAxIVbjQpsTHu9wCLcB/s400/BigDay05012011Field001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Field Sparrow by Phil Fowler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-82517254128595256802016-05-19T06:38:00.000-04:002016-05-19T06:38:01.804-04:00Magic Mulberry TreesLast time I mentioned the attraction that Latta Park's mulberry trees have for migrating thrushes...but thrushes aren't the only group of birds that find the berries irresistible. On a recent walk through that park, cedar waxwings, gray catbirds, and scarlet tanagers were all vying for a favorite perch in most of the trees.<br />
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The catbirds and tanagers would fly out and snatch a berry while on the wing and return to the perch to gulp it down. The waxwings were even more greedy; staying put and gulping down every one within reach.<br />
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It was quite a show.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDu7S2Sj7qI/Vz0cPrBPoHI/AAAAAAAAAJE/VJ4FTTqWdEMHODWIs-WJoakttU6dh3EaACLcB/s1600/Gray_Catbird_3254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDu7S2Sj7qI/Vz0cPrBPoHI/AAAAAAAAAJE/VJ4FTTqWdEMHODWIs-WJoakttU6dh3EaACLcB/s400/Gray_Catbird_3254.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Catbird by Jeff Lewis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9PrLUgB8nw8/Vz0cSeYsFoI/AAAAAAAAAJI/mjL3G2z2P_8errhlKJgZ5a4QiopVVJZMQCLcB/s1600/Cedar_Waxwing_2808x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9PrLUgB8nw8/Vz0cSeYsFoI/AAAAAAAAAJI/mjL3G2z2P_8errhlKJgZ5a4QiopVVJZMQCLcB/s400/Cedar_Waxwing_2808x.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Waxwing by John Ennis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYU5HO6kZqk/Vz0cVn856eI/AAAAAAAAAJM/zt7mGKmvlnw1A2vEMONN5KG6PXtddfb6wCLcB/s1600/Scarlet_Tanager_0580a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYU5HO6kZqk/Vz0cVn856eI/AAAAAAAAAJM/zt7mGKmvlnw1A2vEMONN5KG6PXtddfb6wCLcB/s400/Scarlet_Tanager_0580a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Tanager by John Ennis.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-15750071668073475422016-05-17T06:14:00.001-04:002016-05-17T06:14:07.116-04:00Seeing Spots at Latta Park<div class="MsoNormal">
Every spring migration stands out for one reason or another.
For me, this spring was memorable for the show the spotted thrushes put on at
Latta Park. While the warblers were somewhat lackluster (some area birders may
disagree) the thrushes showed up not only in numbers but in fine voice as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
When I say “spotted thrushes” I am referring to the species
that sport varying numbers and intensity of spots on the breast. In our area
those are the hermit, wood, gray-cheeked, and Swainson’s thrushes; and the
veery. All are renowned for their singing abilities. All of those species’
songs have been described as flute-like with some exhibiting a downward
spiraling ethereal quality. The wood thrush is at the top of my favorite list
as the best singer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At Latta Park, the numerous mulberry trees and their ripening
fruits attract all species of thrushes every spring. Most can be seen in
dependable but small numbers each year but this year the trees, creekside
brush, and lawn were filled with them; especially the last couple of weeks.
Normally there would be a few whispered songs that often would be drowned out
by other species’ notes, but for several visits this year the thrush songs were
loud and ringing, coming from all areas of the park.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hermit thrushes are the only species that is with us through
the winter, and the wood thrush is the only one that nests in our area. The
others are spring and fall migrants that nest in the Canadian Life Zone. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The wood thrush is the most russet on top and has the most
boldly spotted of the group. The veery on the other hand has very faint spots,
sometimes appearing to lack spots at all. The others, in descending order of
spot intensity are the hermit, gray-cheeked, and Swainson’s.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I said before, the thrushes are among the finest of avian
singers. Next to the wood thrush, I rate the veery as the most accomplished
songster, followed closely by the hermit and Swainson’s. The gray-cheeked song
is thin and wiry; obviously coming from a thrush; but not on a par with the
others, in my opinion. <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFIk0orCMfw/Vzp928efXtI/AAAAAAAAAIg/yqwVdpR_BZs4oTUkSk-PNm5VshBvTNfDwCLcB/s1600/Wood_Thrush_2013_04_20_8704_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFIk0orCMfw/Vzp928efXtI/AAAAAAAAAIg/yqwVdpR_BZs4oTUkSk-PNm5VshBvTNfDwCLcB/s400/Wood_Thrush_2013_04_20_8704_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Thrush by Phil Fowler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The wood thrush, above, is larger and bulkier than the other thrushes on this page. Note the russet upperparts and the heavy black spotting on the breast and sides.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlrpaLp_3Sc/Vzp9-AY6MEI/AAAAAAAAAIk/1W9HNrjhA6MYakREtJxkYx4oB489WOhfQCLcB/s1600/Hermit_Thrush_IMG_9456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlrpaLp_3Sc/Vzp9-AY6MEI/AAAAAAAAAIk/1W9HNrjhA6MYakREtJxkYx4oB489WOhfQCLcB/s400/Hermit_Thrush_IMG_9456.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermit Thrush by Lee Weber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The hermit thrush is the only spotted thrush that winters here. When seen in migration with other similar thrushes, the bright russet tail that contrasts with the back is evident in most individuals.<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm1BHovDCqs/Vzp-CKq6WCI/AAAAAAAAAIo/NWNCiiK3e0sCY0t5mskrdFJ_wCgQ1R6tACLcB/s1600/veer_lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm1BHovDCqs/Vzp-CKq6WCI/AAAAAAAAAIo/NWNCiiK3e0sCY0t5mskrdFJ_wCgQ1R6tACLcB/s400/veer_lewis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veery by Jeff Lewis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The veery has the most ethereal song of the thrushes mentioned here. Note the reduced and much fainter spotting in comparison to the wood thrush.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8s8SAw_1yUc/Vzp-E2Pl8WI/AAAAAAAAAIs/NxqNehlsHMMmmUlkfsUozXD5BHXZCLTzACLcB/s1600/Gray-cheeked_Thrush_untitled_3_of_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8s8SAw_1yUc/Vzp-E2Pl8WI/AAAAAAAAAIs/NxqNehlsHMMmmUlkfsUozXD5BHXZCLTzACLcB/s400/Gray-cheeked_Thrush_untitled_3_of_6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray-cheeked Thrush by Lee Weber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The gray-cheeked thrush above and the Swainson's below are very similar. Note the buffy eyering on the Swainson's. The overall color is warmer brown than the colder gray of the gray-cheeked.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0noNTM9Lv00/Vzp-IvtRF8I/AAAAAAAAAIw/V0zR-8jroykwCiWbwX9j6gdNufIHZ7f_QCLcB/s1600/Swainsons_Thrush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0noNTM9Lv00/Vzp-IvtRF8I/AAAAAAAAAIw/V0zR-8jroykwCiWbwX9j6gdNufIHZ7f_QCLcB/s400/Swainsons_Thrush.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swainson's Thrush by Lee Weber.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-37177360769539560812016-05-05T05:47:00.000-04:002016-05-05T05:47:21.681-04:00A Colorful Morning at Cowan's Ford<div class="MsoNormal">
I spent the morning last Monday at Cowan’s Ford Wildlife
Refuge at the end of Neck Road in Huntersville. There is a viewing stand that
overlooks two ponds surrounded by wide open fields. There is some edge habitat
and isolated trees that supply needed perches for singing males of many, many
species. It really is one of the best places in the county to observe some of
the more colorful species that inhabit open habitat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The birds were especially active in the slightly overcast
cool weather. Orchard orioles, summer tanagers, indigo buntings, blue
grosbeaks, and yellow-breasted chats flew back and forth from location to
location, chasing each other off the most desirable perches. Once a perch was
secured, the temporary victor would sit long enough for me to put him in my
spotting scope before he got usurped himself. At one point a brilliant male
indigo bunting was chased off by an equally brilliant blue grosbeak, which in
turn was replaced by a handsome orchard oriole who gave way to an all-red male
summer tanager. The buntings and chats put on the best show, with one chat
actually sitting on a wire for several minutes instead of staying hidden in a
thicket as is their custom.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Around the ponds red-winged blackbirds called to one
another, Eastern kingbirds flitted from treetop to treetop while common yellowthroats
and field sparrows sang from lower vegetation. A sedge wren, a very uncommon
migrant but somewhat regular at Cowan’s Ford, sang from a blackberry thicket,
preferring to keep out of sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the deeper woods behind the platform a wood thrush sang
its flute-like song. A brown thrasher, Northern waterthrush, pine warbler, gray
catbird, and Northern cardinal all joined in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the way out along the entrance I stopped at a power line
cut where I could survey a broad expanse of sky. From that one location I was
able to count seven species of raptor; a bald eagle chick on a nest; an osprey
attending a nest; red-tailed, red-shouldered, and Cooper’s hawks; and both
turkey and black vultures.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I highly recommend taking a drive out to this site in the
morning or later in the afternoon. Even if you are only a casual birder I think
you will be impressed with how much you can see.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jIR5pjGM4Vg/VynGB2rXxYI/AAAAAAAAAIE/h56Wmv4rJL02BucA-4CkqSYTqhOBq-7YwCLcB/s1600/Orchard_Oriole_1374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jIR5pjGM4Vg/VynGB2rXxYI/AAAAAAAAAIE/h56Wmv4rJL02BucA-4CkqSYTqhOBq-7YwCLcB/s400/Orchard_Oriole_1374.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchard Oriole by John Ennis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVkNl3UMwCo/VynGHn2RePI/AAAAAAAAAII/EVYmh-kc7kobrGA5bUpPUfGIoVwPWklygCLcB/s1600/Summer_Tanager_LandsfordCanal06032012_Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVkNl3UMwCo/VynGHn2RePI/AAAAAAAAAII/EVYmh-kc7kobrGA5bUpPUfGIoVwPWklygCLcB/s400/Summer_Tanager_LandsfordCanal06032012_Cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager by Phil Fowler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ewUjiAyS1M4/VynGQ4V-hFI/AAAAAAAAAIM/dr2qqfbp1kYxRRxVQUFDhhf8lNz00A5lgCLcB/s1600/Yellow-breasted_Chat_0997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ewUjiAyS1M4/VynGQ4V-hFI/AAAAAAAAAIM/dr2qqfbp1kYxRRxVQUFDhhf8lNz00A5lgCLcB/s400/Yellow-breasted_Chat_0997.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Breasted Chat by John Ennis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-81070502090865173922016-05-03T06:31:00.000-04:002016-05-03T06:31:20.093-04:00A Cup Full of Field SparrowsAn agitated field sparrow let me know I was too close to her nest recently. Having found many field sparrow nests before, I figured it was in one of a few small pine saplings in a regenerating clear-cut field.<br />
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The second sapling I checked held the small cup; barely two feet off the ground and chock full of field sparrow. Take a look at the nest and nestlings below, and a shot of an adult.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-60614788391677826092016-04-28T06:01:00.000-04:002016-04-28T06:01:38.799-04:00Bluer Birds than BluebirdsEastern bluebirds are everybody's favorite it seems but there are a couple of common species just now arriving that are even more blue. Look for blue grosbeaks and indigo buntings in open country and along many of the county greenways where there is plenty of sunshine.<br />
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They may even stop in to check out a well-stocked feeder so keep a lookout.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk9wR_EFRyE/VxrCFOGFnhI/AAAAAAAAAGw/SRs2oc2yk1UQixdtLJa78wUZQ6u4FWmcwCLcB/s1600/Blue_Grosbeak_IMG_2252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tk9wR_EFRyE/VxrCFOGFnhI/AAAAAAAAAGw/SRs2oc2yk1UQixdtLJa78wUZQ6u4FWmcwCLcB/s400/Blue_Grosbeak_IMG_2252.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Grosbeak by Lee Weber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
More purplish than truly blue, the blue grosbeak is still a striking bird when seen in full sunlight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gxqLQ3f4trA/VxrCKQZowoI/AAAAAAAAAG0/SBxe1qBUtFQJmyG5ztSZ9UlUECy-f-BJgCLcB/s1600/Indigo_Bunting_17425642191_2b33de281b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gxqLQ3f4trA/VxrCKQZowoI/AAAAAAAAAG0/SBxe1qBUtFQJmyG5ztSZ9UlUECy-f-BJgCLcB/s400/Indigo_Bunting_17425642191_2b33de281b_z.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo Bumting by Lee Weber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The indigo bunting male seems to actually glow blue in the right sunlight. They are common but small.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-79089414067037683042016-04-27T06:25:00.000-04:002016-04-27T06:25:44.151-04:00A Long Day of Spring Birding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was out of bed at 4:15 am Sunday morning to take part in
the Charlotte Spring Bird Count. By 5:30 I was at Renaissance Golf Course and
ticking off the first species; American robins in full dawn chorus. It wasn’t
long before things got more interesting though. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A pair of barred owls started hootin’ it up at dawn and the
neotropics began adding to the chorus. Newly arrived Eastern kingbirds, orchard
orioles, indigo buntings, and blue grosbeaks were all accounted for. Birders
like to keep a separate list of how many warblers get tallied on spring outings
and as usual, the golf course delivered. After three hours 18 species of
warblers were tallied including Cape May, worm-eating, hooded, palm, American
redstart, ovenbird, Northern parula, pine, black-throated blue, yellow,
yellow-rumped, yellow-breasted chat, common yellowthroat, blackpoll, black and
white, prairie, Northern waterthrush, and Louisiana waterhrush. That’s a
healthy total anytime. Add scarlet and summer tanagers; and a stunning male
rose-breasted grosbeak and it made for a great morning. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A marsh wren sang lustily from a small wetland, the fourth
straight year that this uncommon migrant has been in that same spot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next I checked out an interesting looking field right off
Tyvola Road at the new City Park development. I was very surprised to hear the
distinctive insect-like buzz of a grasshopper sparrow and I was soon able to
find the tiny sparrow perched at the top of a pine sapling. Grasshopper
sparrows are tough to find nowadays in Mecklenburg County due to disappearing
habitat. I didn’t see a female but I hope he will be successful in attracting
one. A pair of killdeer went into a defensive display, obviously guarding and
unseen nest somewhere in a gravelly patch of ground.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I checked some small ponds in close-by business parks and
was able to locate up to five spotted sandpipers teetering along the
shorelines. Those spotteds and the aforementioned killdeer were the only
shorebirds seen that day, a little bit disappointing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All the participants gathered for a tally-up supper at Winghaven
at the end of the day. A total of 129 species were reported for the day, a very
respectable number. It was a long day for sure but there are birds that must be
seen. There’ll be time to rest after migration slows down<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M7SO9XYJFIU/VyCHjCSYooI/AAAAAAAAAHI/kvY6b_ZLybQlt1QeFToTjIT9NrL9IKZyQCLcB/s1600/mawr_jlewis_133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M7SO9XYJFIU/VyCHjCSYooI/AAAAAAAAAHI/kvY6b_ZLybQlt1QeFToTjIT9NrL9IKZyQCLcB/s400/mawr_jlewis_133.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Wren by Jeff Lewis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Hooded warblers love shady damp lowlands. A few breed in Mecklenburg County but they are most numerous along the coast and in the mountains.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TwB9zbV7yio/VyCH8XmHbUI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/oif03wik1Cc4VEez74pWqDQFIWZF2WMWACKgB/s1600/HoWa5jun10MoCo%252520232%252520Lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TwB9zbV7yio/VyCH8XmHbUI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/oif03wik1Cc4VEez74pWqDQFIWZF2WMWACKgB/s400/HoWa5jun10MoCo%252520232%252520Lewis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooded Warbler by Jeff Lewis</td></tr>
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Grasshopper sparrows are declining nationwide due to habitat loss as small farms and pastures disappear.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PiBZE0LSr94/VyCHvnD_4LI/AAAAAAAAAHM/WuLh-L_RqecFyGR1TYmMMI47R9EUP-KTgCKgB/s1600/Grasshopper_Sparrow_2015-05-02_CBC_Clemson_075-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PiBZE0LSr94/VyCHvnD_4LI/AAAAAAAAAHM/WuLh-L_RqecFyGR1TYmMMI47R9EUP-KTgCKgB/s400/Grasshopper_Sparrow_2015-05-02_CBC_Clemson_075-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasshopper Sparrow by Jim Guyton</td></tr>
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Black-throated blue warblers nest in our mountains, but are one of the more common migrant warblers that pass thru. the piedmont. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SZh4Hn2RvM/VyCIeZpbwuI/AAAAAAAAAHY/spAcqnIqASIhMRGI40GewfHEZFChP3nKACKgB/s1600/Black-throated_Blue_Warbler_7855xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SZh4Hn2RvM/VyCIeZpbwuI/AAAAAAAAAHY/spAcqnIqASIhMRGI40GewfHEZFChP3nKACKgB/s400/Black-throated_Blue_Warbler_7855xx.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Blue Warbler by John Ennis</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-10967423343047080442016-04-26T06:14:00.001-04:002016-04-26T06:14:20.924-04:00A Fearless MotherKilldeer are notorious for building their nests in areas of high human traffic. This strategy seems to work; killdeer are very common and successful.<br />
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This bird pictured below has scraped out her nest in the middle of a community garden where folks go every day. I checked it out last Friday and could see how the little birds see no problem building where they do. This mother bird was fearless, coming right up to within inches of my feet to drive me away.<br />
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The flared tail and drooped wings give the impression the bird is injured; an ingenious ploy to lure predators away from the site. After just a few seconds I walked away, being escorted by the parent leading me right out the gate.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SylRiiSlmY/Vxq9fUdXiXI/AAAAAAAAAF0/Hr_DM_Uq8l0xBh2IUBEQ-DovQB9LbZseQCLcB/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SylRiiSlmY/Vxq9fUdXiXI/AAAAAAAAAF0/Hr_DM_Uq8l0xBh2IUBEQ-DovQB9LbZseQCLcB/s400/021.JPG" width="326" /></a></div>
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Here is a close-up of the four eggs, perfectly camouflaged if they were on a gravel substrate, which they often are. This nest scrape is in a mulch / wood chip mixture.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwI-H37Gw_c/Vxq9hLthB_I/AAAAAAAAAF4/vrKB1WfH_XQEoJV-AZMePsJSlTDqRx9eQCLcB/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwI-H37Gw_c/Vxq9hLthB_I/AAAAAAAAAF4/vrKB1WfH_XQEoJV-AZMePsJSlTDqRx9eQCLcB/s400/019.JPG" width="387" /></a></div>
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Here's profile a shot of an adult bird.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vwgo-YCk62U/Vxq--f1IsUI/AAAAAAAAAGI/Qmf0rZ4slmk1W1wJRW7dD-Xli3RFEz4YgCLcB/s1600/123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vwgo-YCk62U/Vxq--f1IsUI/AAAAAAAAAGI/Qmf0rZ4slmk1W1wJRW7dD-Xli3RFEz4YgCLcB/s400/123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-53788197513854901052016-04-25T06:07:00.002-04:002016-04-25T06:07:46.998-04:00Keep an Eye Out for This Handsome GuyRose-breasted grosbeaks arrived in full force last Friday April 22. I received multiple reports of the males showing up at sunflower feeders that day. Over the weekend I received more photos and even saw three birds myself at Latta Park yesterday.<br />
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Keep the sunflower feeders stocked for a few more weeks. If you do, you may be lucky enough to enjoy one of these striking birds at close range. They are only passing through so the time frame is brief; only to about May 8.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O90scayeZEs/VxrAZ89Q2CI/AAAAAAAAAGY/u2TFQzaglCk0sa7ynwYAfMmTZsDaRdIpQCLcB/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O90scayeZEs/VxrAZ89Q2CI/AAAAAAAAAGY/u2TFQzaglCk0sa7ynwYAfMmTZsDaRdIpQCLcB/s400/052.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak by Ron Clark</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwiLUBKAWts/VxrAtpONwWI/AAAAAAAAAGg/fxnn3zLoFwUJlXfLA9ALxXCQfZa2p7ewwCLcB/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwiLUBKAWts/VxrAtpONwWI/AAAAAAAAAGg/fxnn3zLoFwUJlXfLA9ALxXCQfZa2p7ewwCLcB/s400/061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak by Ron Clark</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-57851828769130420172016-04-12T06:16:00.000-04:002016-04-12T06:16:23.335-04:00An Off-Beat Heron Make an AppearanceI checked out a nice extensive wetland across from Carolina Place Mall in Pineville last week in hopes of catching a glimpse of an American bittern that had been reported from that location. It took some diligent scanning and some patience but eventually I was able to enjoy the bird.<br />
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Bitterns are large herons that pass through our area during the migrations. unlike the familiar and conspicuous great blue herons and great egrets that occur in our wetlands, American bitterns are more of a challenge to find.They are extremely well camouflaged with brown, cream, and black streaked plumage that hides them perfectly in thick marsh vegetation. they don't stand tall either, preferring to spend their time hunches down and skulking through the tall marsh grasses.<br />
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As an added hiding trick, the bitterns will point their bill straight up into the air to look like a marsh reed and will even sway back and forth to mimic vegetation moving in the breeze.<br />
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So I am always glad to see one of these off-beat herons whenever I get the chance. in the photos below you can see how they could be difficult to spot.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UClGMBQBoYQ/VwmbL-a99wI/AAAAAAAAAFA/36EgmkOax58m74pO_YaktjNsKWO4lhwEA/s1600/American_Bittern_2014_12_13_4093_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UClGMBQBoYQ/VwmbL-a99wI/AAAAAAAAAFA/36EgmkOax58m74pO_YaktjNsKWO4lhwEA/s400/American_Bittern_2014_12_13_4093_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Bittern by Phil Fowler</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N2cJBwXW6lQ/VwmbPey8sRI/AAAAAAAAAFE/XmXmNSb80ywBjDAF2WQRRVm116efg8xDw/s1600/American_Bittern_024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N2cJBwXW6lQ/VwmbPey8sRI/AAAAAAAAAFE/XmXmNSb80ywBjDAF2WQRRVm116efg8xDw/s400/American_Bittern_024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Bittern by Phil Fowler</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-10441253328803146822016-04-11T06:32:00.001-04:002016-04-11T06:32:41.214-04:00A Big Lake Norman RarityI got a report that a Western grebe might be hanging out off The Point development in Iredell County over the weekend. After contacting the reporter i was able to drive down Brawley School Road to a cove near the Lake Norman Yacht Club.<br />
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Within a minute of scanning the cove and the open water of the main channel I was on the bird. A Western grebe is a bona-fide rarity anywhere, anytime in North Carolina.<br />
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There are only a handful of records for the species from the Piedmont, and only one previous from Lake Norman. I was lucky enough to see that bird in 2006 near the Cowan's Ford Dam. The are more records from the coast but they are still very rare on the ocean and sounds too.<br />
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Western grebes are large, strikingly marked water birds; twice as large as the familiar horned grebes that winter regularly on Lake Norman. Their range includes most of the western United States but clearly a very few individuals come east in the winter. This bird seems to be taking it's time heading back west. It's photo is below.<br />
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Since the bird is in Iredell County, I won't be able to add it to my state or Mecklenburg lists. If I kept an Iredell list I could put it on that one. Maybe I should start one. Western grebe would be a pretty fancy bird to begin a list with.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqAIXFVRJeI/VwsK0Y5ucWI/AAAAAAAAAFk/lA3tpn6rPc4WB3iFRTv5k-4-U8T92IqHA/s1600/WEGR%2BNanci%2BScott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqAIXFVRJeI/VwsK0Y5ucWI/AAAAAAAAAFk/lA3tpn6rPc4WB3iFRTv5k-4-U8T92IqHA/s400/WEGR%2BNanci%2BScott.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Grebe by Nanci Scott</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-29201260060938149422016-04-05T06:15:00.000-04:002016-04-05T06:15:04.135-04:00The Most Brilliant Yellow of All.I read a report that a male prothonotary warbler had returned to his breeding territory along lower McAlpine Creek Greenway so I snuck over to take a look yesterday. Sure enough, as I approached the described area a loud, rapid, monotonous <i>tweet tweet tweet </i> rang out from a group of small stumps in the swampy muck. It was the golden swamp warbler indeed!<br />
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Prothonotary warblers are in my opinion the most brilliantly colored yellow bird in our area. In high breeding plumage, as this one was, the yellow is so deep that it can take on orange tones around the face. See the photo below. The quarreling males flash gold in the shadows of the swamps that they call home.<br />
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This bird was really easy to see. Park at the restroom building and parking lot off Johnston Road in south Charlotte. Follow the paved trail under Johnston Road. Go just a couple of hundred feet to a short boardwalk extension to the right. you should see two prothonotary warbler nest boxes in the mud and water. Listen for the loud song and with patience you should be able to see this bold beauty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FLc-liHKHhg/VwMP2JrcaCI/AAAAAAAAAEw/gVXBgxkPOhk68RsM2GGYBvCiERy-8wPpw/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FLc-liHKHhg/VwMP2JrcaCI/AAAAAAAAAEw/gVXBgxkPOhk68RsM2GGYBvCiERy-8wPpw/s400/061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prothonotary Warbler by Ron Clark</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-80403153259244290222016-04-01T06:28:00.000-04:002016-04-01T06:28:32.611-04:00A Welcome Trespasser<div class="MsoNormal">
I first saw her a month or so ago as I stepped out of my
house into the attached garage. In the subsequent days I would see her
regularly, snooping through boxes, bags, bookcases, and storage shelves. Every time
she would scoop away and escape through a small opening in the bottom of the
garage door sweeper; a flitting tiny brown form.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This has become a yearly spring encounter for me, the local pair
of Carolina wrens checking out the garage for suitable nest site. Sometimes they
stay outside and try to use the tubular paper box below the mailbox, if they
can beat the Eastern bluebirds and Carolina chickadees to it. Not so this year,
no one is in the box as of now. Nor is anyone in the patio grill or potted
plants either.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So last week I began a search for the large globular nest
with a side entrance hole I was sure was somewhere hidden in the garage. Christmas
wreath; no. artificial Christmas tree; no. Christmas garland; no. inside the
Christmas manger, nope. Top of the mop head; again nope. Tool pouch; nah too
tight. Garden bucket; no. Garden shelf, yes! I mean no, just a deflated
basketball. AmVets bag # 1, not this year. AmVets bag #2, ditto. AmVets bag #3,
BINGO!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, there she was peering out at me from a depression in
the clothes filled with moss and dead leaves. She blinked only once but never
abandoned her diligent incubation. Later I would count five tiny cream-colored
eggs with brown speckles when she was gone on a feeding break. It’s a safe
place. My garage has provided for successful nestings for many years. It’s
predator-free; (my old cat quit caring years ago) and the wren doesn’t mind the
noisy opening and closing of the doors at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If all goes well there will be five gaping mouths to feed in
about a week or so, and in a couple of weeks after that a family of Carolina
wrens milling around the yard quietly talking back and forth in a murmured
chatter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Carolina wrens are notorious for usurping human space and
possessions for raising their families. I gladly give them up every year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H6Vlnrr6epc/Vv5G5yjKR3I/AAAAAAAAAEY/OvXz4vSoSQoLykbzGycvODFsrVp8PLomA/s1600/DSCN4877%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H6Vlnrr6epc/Vv5G5yjKR3I/AAAAAAAAAEY/OvXz4vSoSQoLykbzGycvODFsrVp8PLomA/s400/DSCN4877%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Wren and Nest by Taylor Piephoff</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYq493sMhGU/Vv5HEv8mYTI/AAAAAAAAAEc/Wy77_yHzkhE3eM265PbSQM_Armj4uI-6g/s1600/DSCN4877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYq493sMhGU/Vv5HEv8mYTI/AAAAAAAAAEc/Wy77_yHzkhE3eM265PbSQM_Armj4uI-6g/s400/DSCN4877.JPG" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Carolina Wren and Nest by Taylor Piephoff</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-67922160188062602612016-03-30T06:22:00.000-04:002016-03-30T06:22:16.920-04:00What's That Humming Sound? Yep, They're Here<div class="MsoNormal">
If you haven’t freshened up, or put up, your hummingbird
feeders yet then you are LATE! As I predicted last week, there has been a
smattering of ruby-throated hummingbird reports as of this writing. April
second has been the date in recent years when the numbers of returning birds
spike. So if you want to get in on the action you had better get the feeder up
today.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Birds you will see right now will almost invariably be adult
males. They arrive and pass through a couple of weeks before the females
follow. And most of the birds will just be passing through. After an initial
rush you may notice a lull in sightings as the hummers continue their flight
north.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have had several folks mention to me how they have noticed
how vocal birds have been in the early morning. This is a real thing and it has
a name; the dawn chorus. Well before dawn American robins, Carolina wrens,
tufted titmice, Carolina chickadees, Eastern bluebirds, Northern cardinals, Northern
mockingbirds, brown thrashers, and song sparrows all wake up and begin singing.
Then, just after sunrise the chorus dies down as the birds begin foraging for
breakfast. As more local breeders return in the coming weeks they will add to
the din. By mid-May it will be even more impressive in volume and diversity
than it is right now. My favorite time of the birding day is a springtime dawn in
rural farmland where the songs carry far through the open landscape.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Many of the winter feeder regulars will start to disappear over
the next few weeks. I have already noticed a decrease in the dark-eyed juncos
at my place, yet I encourage you to leave the feeders stocked with at least
sunflower seed for the next month or so. Rose-breasted grosbeaks will start to
pass through in mid-April with a peak around May first, and they love to
sunflower seed. If you have been lucky enough to attract the spectacular males
in the past then you know what I am talking about. You also have a good chance
of attracting indigo buntings and blue grosbeaks too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sAYFr4Ww5YY/VvuoXBuUMVI/AAAAAAAAAEE/wN75dcwq1scpMAnWLaeZTeMC_6OjCHf9g/s1600/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird_2013_04_23_8794_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sAYFr4Ww5YY/VvuoXBuUMVI/AAAAAAAAAEE/wN75dcwq1scpMAnWLaeZTeMC_6OjCHf9g/s400/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird_2013_04_23_8794_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Ruby-throated hummingbird by Phil Fowler</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-8808092144321081152016-03-24T06:39:00.002-04:002016-03-24T06:39:35.717-04:00More Firsts of the Season<div class="MsoNormal">
Things are really happening fast on the migration front.
Last weekend brought in several firsts of the year as more breeders continue to
come into the area from their more southern and eastern wintering grounds. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sunday I had barn swallows and tree swallows at a couple of
locations in east Charlotte, joining their cousins the Northern rough-winged
swallows that had arrived about a week earlier in small numbers. Last weekend saw
an explosion in their numbers though. It won’t be too long before the other two
breeding swallows arrive; the cliff swallows and purple martins.<br />
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Blue-gray gnatcatchers arrived Monday; I had that species in
four locations that day. I also had the first singing blue-headed vireo, a
species that winters in the southern part of the county in tiny numbers but had
somehow eluded me until I heard it sing and scold at the Reedy Creek Park
Nature Center.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I always get excited when the migrants move in. Though by
the end of May I will see probably a couple of hundred barn swallows and
gnatcatchers it is the first ones that get the birding adrenaline really flowing.
It’s a kick-start to taking in the spring migration, and sort of a game I play
with myself; try to find each species on an earlier date than I have found them
before.<o:p></o:p></div>
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By the time this column goes to print there will be other
old friends that will have come back for the summer. I wouldn’t be surprised if
the first ruby-throated hummingbirds will have already appeared at a few
feeders. If they haven’t then it will be just a matter of a few days.
White-eyed vireos almost certainly will be here by now, absent one day, common
the next.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As fast as birds are moving into the area right now, we are
not even near the peak of migration yet. That won’t occur until about May
first. As we move into April even more of the breeding warblers, vireos,
tanagers, buntings, and grosbeaks will surge north. Some will stay with us
while others will head on up into southern Canada. It’s going to be a great
spring migration and a great next six weeks for Piedmont Birding.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xeD1Lbn1WM/VvCND1lFFGI/AAAAAAAAAD0/Pfxc4vUtPEU-oRHPUaoJpEml4Ocm4ciQA/s1600/Barn%252520Swallow%2525204may09%252520Lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xeD1Lbn1WM/VvCND1lFFGI/AAAAAAAAAD0/Pfxc4vUtPEU-oRHPUaoJpEml4Ocm4ciQA/s400/Barn%252520Swallow%2525204may09%252520Lewis.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Swallow by Jeff Lewis</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-44833349814171111652016-03-22T05:59:00.000-04:002016-03-22T05:59:41.588-04:00Swallows are Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Swallows have arrived in the area and can be seen catching insects on the wing at area ponds and lakes right now. Here are some photos of our nesting swallows with a brief description of their habits:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pCjZNQiEo4w/VvCG33yFpzI/AAAAAAAAADY/D36FDgbCv6YcH5MYF0-cb3uaIYyMH5OAA/s1600/Northern_Rough-winged_Swallow_Wetlands052012_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pCjZNQiEo4w/VvCG33yFpzI/AAAAAAAAADY/D36FDgbCv6YcH5MYF0-cb3uaIYyMH5OAA/s400/Northern_Rough-winged_Swallow_Wetlands052012_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Rough-winged Swallow by Phil Fowler</td></tr>
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The Northern rough-winged swallow is typically the first swallow to come into the Piedmont. They are plain brown on the upperside and lighter on the under. They can be found at almost any pond during the warm months.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A7fijdiTvyo/VvCG6n_D71I/AAAAAAAAADc/Szs_7ZqzQUQTYdgKZoFtTn84iv9AEEZRQ/s1600/Tree_Swallow_16517593523_4c9fef585f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A7fijdiTvyo/VvCG6n_D71I/AAAAAAAAADc/Szs_7ZqzQUQTYdgKZoFtTn84iv9AEEZRQ/s400/Tree_Swallow_16517593523_4c9fef585f_z.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Swallow by Lee Weber</td></tr>
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Tree swallows are the only swallow in our area that nests in bird boxes, readily accepting standard bluebird boxes. Look for them in open areas like pastures with a water source nearby.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjPmSz-VUpw/VvCGxGC2C5I/AAAAAAAAADk/c2bLrxb6tfYYZ-iND-R0xnXVHRt-Zcx5w/s1600/Barn%252520Swallow%2525204may09%252520Lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjPmSz-VUpw/VvCGxGC2C5I/AAAAAAAAADk/c2bLrxb6tfYYZ-iND-R0xnXVHRt-Zcx5w/s400/Barn%252520Swallow%2525204may09%252520Lewis.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Swallow by Jeff Lewis</td></tr>
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Barn swallows are perhaps the most graceful of the swallows in flight, and one of the most graceful bird species overall. Note the long forked tail, long slender wings, and slender build. I love to watch them coursing over lakes and open areas. They nest in small colonies under bridges and in barns.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wW4ATswnotc/VvCG9s7fGZI/AAAAAAAAADg/CbGUHStPA1UXED2z_PvoV5Cw39O-dqbxw/s1600/Purple_Martin_0922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wW4ATswnotc/VvCG9s7fGZI/AAAAAAAAADg/CbGUHStPA1UXED2z_PvoV5Cw39O-dqbxw/s400/Purple_Martin_0922.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Martin by John Ennis</td></tr>
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Purple martins are the most famous swallow that nests in large colonies; in gourds and martin houses erected by humans. The next species is not as well known as the martins, but cliff swallows build gourd-shaped nests under area bridges with numbers potentially reaching 100 nests in the largest colonies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UBaDsP1egM/VvCG0EoChwI/AAAAAAAAADo/XnDib8BNp3AssdeAfV00zLYiWurdlDQmQ/s1600/cliff%252520swallow%252520No%2525201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UBaDsP1egM/VvCG0EoChwI/AAAAAAAAADo/XnDib8BNp3AssdeAfV00zLYiWurdlDQmQ/s320/cliff%252520swallow%252520No%2525201.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliff Swallow by Don Faulkner</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027275568352243066.post-75069876391981343872016-03-18T06:41:00.002-04:002016-03-18T06:41:56.351-04:00The First Brightly Colored Warblers IncomingThe first spring migrant warblers have been reported from a couple of locations in the southern part of Mecklenburg County. A singing yellow-throated warbler was at Four-mile Creek Greenway, and a Northern parula warbler was at Six-mile Creek Greenway. Both were found yesterday. About a week ago the first black-and-white warbler was at McDowell Nature Preserve.<br />
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Birders look forward to the first warblers' arrivals; they are generally in full plumage splendor and in full song.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8UP_3_OP8A/VutYiRTyoFI/AAAAAAAAACw/Kuv-HxDj5M0ROHp2FKtIDWJ32ASgSOE3w/s1600/349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8UP_3_OP8A/VutYiRTyoFI/AAAAAAAAACw/Kuv-HxDj5M0ROHp2FKtIDWJ32ASgSOE3w/s400/349.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Parula by Ron Clark</td></tr>
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Northern Parulas are tiny treetop warblers with persistent buzzy songs. They are fairly common in bottomland forests.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wCb1SUwPn-w/VutZ2OtfC9I/AAAAAAAAAC4/5K9X_Mgxr1oXVbn-PXBoMluqYy2j1BLYA/s1600/IMG_9873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wCb1SUwPn-w/VutZ2OtfC9I/AAAAAAAAAC4/5K9X_Mgxr1oXVbn-PXBoMluqYy2j1BLYA/s400/IMG_9873.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-throated Warbler by Ron Clark</td></tr>
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Listen for the musical song of this wetland warbler along the Catawba River and major creeks in the county. you will be lucky to get a look at them in their pine and sycamore treetop haunts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyfJNd6xAW0/VutadpFABJI/AAAAAAAAAC8/U0YRWu4pNRERLWF82rT0wubEdpwxBA5-g/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyfJNd6xAW0/VutadpFABJI/AAAAAAAAAC8/U0YRWu4pNRERLWF82rT0wubEdpwxBA5-g/s400/039.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-and-White Warbler by Ron Clark</td></tr>
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The black and white warbler probes crevices in tree trunks and major limbs. In nuthatch-like fashion they creep along the woody sections of trees, generally ignoring the leafy outer limbs where most arboreal warblers forage.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17983142385664937313noreply@blogger.com0