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Wed, 1 Jun 2011 15:12:15 -0400 |
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I took advantage of today's cooler temperatures and spent the morning
monitoring my nest boxes at Area K (Wiese Road), Area L (Dustin Road, Little
Walnut Creek, and Area M (near the boardwalk in Galena). The Prothonotary
Warblers apparently also were enjoying the good weather as the males were out
singing for all they were worth. In the sunlight some of the best colored
males looked like they had been done using Neon Golden-Yellow fluorescent
paint.
When I arrived at Area L the first thing I heard was a Prothonotary singing
at the water's edge. For a small bird they can belt out a song to be heard
far and wide. I worked the area along Dustin Road first, then looped along
the edge of the cove, the peninsula and finished following Little Walnut
Creek upstream. Males were perched and declaring their territory at almost
every 100 to 200 feet. Finding the nest site was more of a challenge. At
this point the females are either laying eggs at one a day or incubating
during the morning. As it got closer to noon I began seeing females out
foraging. I make it a rule not to disturb any boxes during the morning when the
females are on the nest. Counting eggs or hatchlings is best done during the
afternoon hours and done quickly.
Area L held a few extra pleasures this morning. Sometimes you can sense
someone or something is watching you. As I was taking a GPS reading for a
natural cavity site I turned around to find a Barred Owl looking down at me (do
they people watch?). Later I encountered a Black-billed Cuckoo near the
base of the old railroad bed. Usually I find Yellow-bill's here as the
habitat is more to their suiting, but the backyards along nearby Dustin Road and
the abundance of tent caterpillars are an attractive combination. Area L
also had many Warbling Vireos, a few Green Herons and many Baltimore Orioles.
At Area K the habitat has been altered dramatically from what is was for
years. A section of the Ohio-to-Erie Bike Trail has been run through the
abandoned part of Wiese Road. This changed the area from a quiet path with lots
of edge flora to a paved bike path with wide swarths of flora cleared away
on both sides. Many species that have been consistent nesters here are
totally absent now, Others including White-eyed Vireo, Brown Thrasher, Wood
Thrush, Common Yellowthroat and Ruby-throated Hummingbird are barely hanging
on. On the other side of the ledger, Yellow Warblers, Eastern Towhee, Song
Sparrows and a few others are showing an increase along the road edge
areas. The Prothonotary Warbler status is still out and yet to be determined. I
had two males on territory this morning whereas the area historically
hosted 5 to 7 pairs annually. A part of the bike trail runs right along the
water's edge. I'm hoping I will find the prothonotaries adjusting and only
moving along the shore to where the bike trail is further away. The jury is out
on this.
Over at the boardwalk in Area M I installed additional nest boxes to make
the Prothonotary Warblers easier to locate. Thus far this seems to be a
success. This was initially demonstrated on April 23rd when we hosted several
Ohio Young Birders Club Chapters. I was discussing the area with a couple of
these great kids when I heard a male Prothonotary calling from nearby. I
phished to try and have it come out so the kids could see him. He did me one
better as he flew over to the boardwalk and landed in front of the kids.
Twice since the same thing has occurred at the boardwalk much to the
pleasure of the birders present. There appears to be at least 4 males on territory
close to the boardwalk. Every time I have stopped there one or two of them
has been in the open and viewable. Then as an added treat one can walk to
the end of the boardwalk and see the Osprey on platform H-2, built and
installed curtesy of Dick Tuttle. If you're lucky Dick might be there
monitoring the nest with his spotting scope. He is an amiable gentleman who loves to
share knowledge about these noble birds. And if the male Osprey doesn't
chase it away too soon you might catch a glimpse of one of the Bald Eagles
that hang around the north end of Hoover Reservoir. I keep hoping that a pair
will nest there someday but so far no luck with that wish.
Next time out I plan to check out the back sections of Area N. It is an
area with many Prothonotaries as well as nesting Yellow-throated Warblers and
Northern Parula.
Charlie Bombaci
Hoover Nature Preserve
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