CHIMNEY SWIFTS
by Jill Palmer (from the Aug 2012 Newsletter)
Have you ever seen a Chimney Swift sitting in your backyard? Probably not. Swifts don't perch like other birds. Chimney Swifts and other members of the Swift family live on the fly, resting at night in - you guessed it - chimneys.
Named American Swifts by James J. Audubon, Swifts originally roosted and nested in hollow trees. As our ancestors colonized and changed the habitat of this country,
Swifts lost their natural cavity roosts and adapted by moving to manmade chimneys, thus becoming known as Chimney Swifts.
Consider yourself lucky if you see Swifts flying above your yard - or hear their sharp "chippering" or "ticking" call. They are insect-eating machines, consuming thousands of mosquitoes, flying ants and those nasty biting flies. If you have an uncapped chimney or there is one nearby, you might observe Swifts congregating and beginning their descent into a chimney to roost for the night.
Both sexes are identical in appearance. Cigar-shaped, averaging five inches long, they are sooty-gray to black with silver-gray throats. At rest, their long wings cross by an inch or more over the tail feathers, which are tipped by small pointed bristles. These combined with claws enable the bird to cling to rough surfaces to nest and roost.
Chimney Swifts build nests of tree-branch twigs, snipped off on the fly, and saliva. There will be only one active nest per structure, no matter the size of the structure. Swifts do not require acres of suitable habitat as most bird species do; they require just one square foot of an undisturbed column like a chimney. Other manmade structures have also proved successful.
When early fall arrives, Swifts gather in large numbers and prepare for the long migration to the Amazon Basin of Peru. They will roost communally in suitable sites in groups of hundreds or thousands to prepare for this flight - a spectacle to watch. At dusk, watch as Chimney Swift numbers grow in the air and begin their backward descent into a chimney, slowing just briefly to get turned around.
You can help populations of Chimney Swifts by not capping your chimney and encouraging others not to. If you discover a nest in your chimney (nestlings can be very vocal when the parents bring food to the nest), close your damper and allow the parents to raise their brood, a process that takes about ten days.
by Jill Palmer (from the Aug 2012 Newsletter)
Have you ever seen a Chimney Swift sitting in your backyard? Probably not. Swifts don't perch like other birds. Chimney Swifts and other members of the Swift family live on the fly, resting at night in - you guessed it - chimneys.
Named American Swifts by James J. Audubon, Swifts originally roosted and nested in hollow trees. As our ancestors colonized and changed the habitat of this country,
Swifts lost their natural cavity roosts and adapted by moving to manmade chimneys, thus becoming known as Chimney Swifts.
Consider yourself lucky if you see Swifts flying above your yard - or hear their sharp "chippering" or "ticking" call. They are insect-eating machines, consuming thousands of mosquitoes, flying ants and those nasty biting flies. If you have an uncapped chimney or there is one nearby, you might observe Swifts congregating and beginning their descent into a chimney to roost for the night.
Both sexes are identical in appearance. Cigar-shaped, averaging five inches long, they are sooty-gray to black with silver-gray throats. At rest, their long wings cross by an inch or more over the tail feathers, which are tipped by small pointed bristles. These combined with claws enable the bird to cling to rough surfaces to nest and roost.
Chimney Swifts build nests of tree-branch twigs, snipped off on the fly, and saliva. There will be only one active nest per structure, no matter the size of the structure. Swifts do not require acres of suitable habitat as most bird species do; they require just one square foot of an undisturbed column like a chimney. Other manmade structures have also proved successful.
When early fall arrives, Swifts gather in large numbers and prepare for the long migration to the Amazon Basin of Peru. They will roost communally in suitable sites in groups of hundreds or thousands to prepare for this flight - a spectacle to watch. At dusk, watch as Chimney Swift numbers grow in the air and begin their backward descent into a chimney, slowing just briefly to get turned around.
You can help populations of Chimney Swifts by not capping your chimney and encouraging others not to. If you discover a nest in your chimney (nestlings can be very vocal when the parents bring food to the nest), close your damper and allow the parents to raise their brood, a process that takes about ten days.
BROWN HEADED NUTHATCH
by Jill Palmer (from the Nov 2012 Newsletter)
A Brown-headed Nuthatch in your yard can provide many hours of fun bird watching. It is a very common "feeder bird" in our area, especially if there are pines nearby. All of 3.5 inches long, these energetic little birds have a brownish cap with a large white spot on their nape and blue-gray under parts. Animate and noisy, they feed by hopping along tree trunks and branches and often hanging upside down. They are one of few passerines known to use tools, finding loose bark flakes to pry up other bark flakes where insects are hiding.
Their song is a high, sharp, nasal two-syllable vocalization, often followed by a rapid series of lower nasal notes -- very much like a dog's squeaky toy. As they forage they talk amongst themselves; we can only imagine what they are saying in little-bird language! At my feeder, they greet me with a quick look and a good squeak. They are not shy!
Because of their mutual feeding strategy of clinging and walking upside down, Brown-headed Nuthatches can be confused with both White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches. However, these two have black, not brown, crowns and lack the pale spot on the nape. If you aren't sure which one you are seeing, just wait for that unmistakable "squeaky toy" voice; you've got a Brown-headed Nuthatch! Click here to hear its call:
The Brown-headed Nuthatch is a southern species characteristic of the pine forests of the southeastern U.S., with highest densities in western South Carolina and Georgia, central Florida, and southern Mississippi. Although it seldom disperses far from its breeding home, a seasonal decline in pine seed cone may force it to extend its range. Breeding Bird Surveys from 1966 through 2001 show a significant annual population decline of 2.2 percent, once thought due to the loss of pine forests but really inclusive of all bird habitats.
Brown-headed Nuthatches forage on live pines, but require snags (standing dead trees) for nesting and roosting: a good reason to leave those snags in your yard if they are in no danger of falling on your home or family. They will also use a nest box, but one with a small hole to keep the larger birds from forcing it out. (Don't forget the baffle to keep out predators like snakes and raccoons.) Supply a feeder with any variety of nuts and sunflower seeds, and you're providing a home for a fun little bird that will entertain you year round.
by Jill Palmer (from the Nov 2012 Newsletter)
A Brown-headed Nuthatch in your yard can provide many hours of fun bird watching. It is a very common "feeder bird" in our area, especially if there are pines nearby. All of 3.5 inches long, these energetic little birds have a brownish cap with a large white spot on their nape and blue-gray under parts. Animate and noisy, they feed by hopping along tree trunks and branches and often hanging upside down. They are one of few passerines known to use tools, finding loose bark flakes to pry up other bark flakes where insects are hiding.
Their song is a high, sharp, nasal two-syllable vocalization, often followed by a rapid series of lower nasal notes -- very much like a dog's squeaky toy. As they forage they talk amongst themselves; we can only imagine what they are saying in little-bird language! At my feeder, they greet me with a quick look and a good squeak. They are not shy!
Because of their mutual feeding strategy of clinging and walking upside down, Brown-headed Nuthatches can be confused with both White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches. However, these two have black, not brown, crowns and lack the pale spot on the nape. If you aren't sure which one you are seeing, just wait for that unmistakable "squeaky toy" voice; you've got a Brown-headed Nuthatch! Click here to hear its call:
The Brown-headed Nuthatch is a southern species characteristic of the pine forests of the southeastern U.S., with highest densities in western South Carolina and Georgia, central Florida, and southern Mississippi. Although it seldom disperses far from its breeding home, a seasonal decline in pine seed cone may force it to extend its range. Breeding Bird Surveys from 1966 through 2001 show a significant annual population decline of 2.2 percent, once thought due to the loss of pine forests but really inclusive of all bird habitats.
Brown-headed Nuthatches forage on live pines, but require snags (standing dead trees) for nesting and roosting: a good reason to leave those snags in your yard if they are in no danger of falling on your home or family. They will also use a nest box, but one with a small hole to keep the larger birds from forcing it out. (Don't forget the baffle to keep out predators like snakes and raccoons.) Supply a feeder with any variety of nuts and sunflower seeds, and you're providing a home for a fun little bird that will entertain you year round.
KINGLETS
by Jill Palmer (from the Feb 2013 Newsletter-photos by Will Stuart)
Kinglets are among the smallest of American bird species, smaller than our warblers. If you notice a flutter of hyperactive wings and drab colors with a hint of bright yellow, red or orange on its crown, it is probably a Kinglet flitting about and methodically picking insects or seeds off a tree. It may hover at times or hang upside down under a small twig or branch. When perched, it still likes to flick its wings.
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is mostly plain olive-gray with a faint eye ring, wider in the front and back than at the top and bottom. It has one conspicuous white wing bar above a black bar. Closer
to its chest is a faint white bar, sometimes not seen at all. It has a very short, thin bill and a notched tail.
Golden-Crowned Kinglet
The Golden-crowned Kinglet has very similar behaviors, flitting and hanging upside down. The two are often seen together. The Golden-crowned is less olive-colored than the Ruby-crowned, with a white wing bar that is less conspicuous but similar to the Ruby-crowned in pattern. It also lacks the eye ring of the Ruby-crowned. A sure-fire way to identify the two is the color of the crown. Because the fiery red crown of the Ruby-crowned is often not visible unless the bird becomes agitated, you may see only its dull olive head. The Golden-crowned, on the other hand, has a bright, always-visible yellowish crown, sometimes with orange tones. The yellow is surrounded by black with white below.
An interesting fact about Kinglets is that they lay eight or nine eggs, compared to other songbirds' four or five: amazing feat for such a tiny bird! Although finding Kinglets can be challenging, they are everywhere, particularly in wooded yards and our local parks. Keep watch for them, and learn their songs, which consist, for both birds, partly of a series of hightsee notes.
Happy Kinglet hunting!
by Jill Palmer (from the Feb 2013 Newsletter-photos by Will Stuart)
Kinglets are among the smallest of American bird species, smaller than our warblers. If you notice a flutter of hyperactive wings and drab colors with a hint of bright yellow, red or orange on its crown, it is probably a Kinglet flitting about and methodically picking insects or seeds off a tree. It may hover at times or hang upside down under a small twig or branch. When perched, it still likes to flick its wings.
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is mostly plain olive-gray with a faint eye ring, wider in the front and back than at the top and bottom. It has one conspicuous white wing bar above a black bar. Closer
to its chest is a faint white bar, sometimes not seen at all. It has a very short, thin bill and a notched tail.
Golden-Crowned Kinglet
The Golden-crowned Kinglet has very similar behaviors, flitting and hanging upside down. The two are often seen together. The Golden-crowned is less olive-colored than the Ruby-crowned, with a white wing bar that is less conspicuous but similar to the Ruby-crowned in pattern. It also lacks the eye ring of the Ruby-crowned. A sure-fire way to identify the two is the color of the crown. Because the fiery red crown of the Ruby-crowned is often not visible unless the bird becomes agitated, you may see only its dull olive head. The Golden-crowned, on the other hand, has a bright, always-visible yellowish crown, sometimes with orange tones. The yellow is surrounded by black with white below.
An interesting fact about Kinglets is that they lay eight or nine eggs, compared to other songbirds' four or five: amazing feat for such a tiny bird! Although finding Kinglets can be challenging, they are everywhere, particularly in wooded yards and our local parks. Keep watch for them, and learn their songs, which consist, for both birds, partly of a series of hightsee notes.
Happy Kinglet hunting!
Mourning Doves
by Jill Palmer (from the May 2013 Newsletter)
Take some time to get to know Mourning Doves. You'll see these relatively little-noticed birds under and sometimes on your flat tray feeders, but mostly you'll notice them sitting quietly on telephone wires, usually in groups of two or more. Because of their dull gray-and-pinkish coloring, you've probably overlooked them for more colorful, active birds. Admit it: you've probably said, "Oh, it's just a Mourning Dove." Looking closely, however, you'll see that they are actually very beautiful.
They are interesting, as well. They eat roughly 12-20 percent of their body weight per day. That amounts to 71 calories for a bird weighing 4-6 ounces! In the wild they consume wild grass and weed seeds, herbs, and cultivated grains from farmers' fields. In the city they forage on many of those same foods and also supplement from our feeders. They sometimes eat berries and snails. Once a Mourning Dove fills its crop, it will fly to a safe perch to settle in and digest, appearing to be dozing off.
Mourning Doves have a specialized short, slender bill with a fleshy cere (swelling) that allows them to suck up water steadily without tipping their head back as other birds do. The next time you see one at your birdbath, watch the way it drinks compared to, say, a Cardinal.
The Mourning Dove is in the Columiformes Order, which includes the now-extinct Dodo Bird. The most abundant and widespread game bird in the U.S., the Mourning Dove population is estimated at 350 million birds. They survive in the deserts of the Southwest by drinking salty, brackish water without becoming dehydrated. The oldest known Mourning Dove lived to be 31 years, 4 months!
To build a nest, the male stands on top of the female while passing her twigs, pine needles and grasses. The female weaves these together to build the nest over three to four days. The male will protect his cooing perch from other Mourning Doves.
Mourning Doves' wings whistle as they fly. This sound is especially noticeable during take-off and landing. Different coos call the mate to the nest, greet others, attract a mate or make an alarm call. With observation and practice, these coos should be easy to figure out. The Mourning Dove sound, which gave the bird its name, is considered by some people to be depressing, by others soothing.
by Jill Palmer (from the May 2013 Newsletter)
Take some time to get to know Mourning Doves. You'll see these relatively little-noticed birds under and sometimes on your flat tray feeders, but mostly you'll notice them sitting quietly on telephone wires, usually in groups of two or more. Because of their dull gray-and-pinkish coloring, you've probably overlooked them for more colorful, active birds. Admit it: you've probably said, "Oh, it's just a Mourning Dove." Looking closely, however, you'll see that they are actually very beautiful.
They are interesting, as well. They eat roughly 12-20 percent of their body weight per day. That amounts to 71 calories for a bird weighing 4-6 ounces! In the wild they consume wild grass and weed seeds, herbs, and cultivated grains from farmers' fields. In the city they forage on many of those same foods and also supplement from our feeders. They sometimes eat berries and snails. Once a Mourning Dove fills its crop, it will fly to a safe perch to settle in and digest, appearing to be dozing off.
Mourning Doves have a specialized short, slender bill with a fleshy cere (swelling) that allows them to suck up water steadily without tipping their head back as other birds do. The next time you see one at your birdbath, watch the way it drinks compared to, say, a Cardinal.
The Mourning Dove is in the Columiformes Order, which includes the now-extinct Dodo Bird. The most abundant and widespread game bird in the U.S., the Mourning Dove population is estimated at 350 million birds. They survive in the deserts of the Southwest by drinking salty, brackish water without becoming dehydrated. The oldest known Mourning Dove lived to be 31 years, 4 months!
To build a nest, the male stands on top of the female while passing her twigs, pine needles and grasses. The female weaves these together to build the nest over three to four days. The male will protect his cooing perch from other Mourning Doves.
Mourning Doves' wings whistle as they fly. This sound is especially noticeable during take-off and landing. Different coos call the mate to the nest, greet others, attract a mate or make an alarm call. With observation and practice, these coos should be easy to figure out. The Mourning Dove sound, which gave the bird its name, is considered by some people to be depressing, by others soothing.
BIRDS BIRDS BIRDS
by Jill Palmer (from the Aug 2013 Newsletter)
There are many reasons why birds matter and why they have a place in a healthy eco-system. For instance, they are indicators of what could be going wrong in our environment. Watching and learning more about birds can not only enrich your life, but also lead to learning about the insects and native plants that they need to survive. Bird watching can make a well-rounded, educated nature lover out of the most skeptical person who thinks it's overwhelming to learn the 9,865 bird species worldwide. Here are some fascinating bird facts:
Happy Birding!
by Jill Palmer (from the Aug 2013 Newsletter)
There are many reasons why birds matter and why they have a place in a healthy eco-system. For instance, they are indicators of what could be going wrong in our environment. Watching and learning more about birds can not only enrich your life, but also lead to learning about the insects and native plants that they need to survive. Bird watching can make a well-rounded, educated nature lover out of the most skeptical person who thinks it's overwhelming to learn the 9,865 bird species worldwide. Here are some fascinating bird facts:
- Birds are the only animal species to possess feathers. The extreme novice can know it's a bird by that fact alone.
- Feathers enable flight, regulate temperature, help to find a mate, or provide camouflage from a predator. A bird's feather weight is greater than its skeleton weight.
- The earliest-known bird, Archaeopteryx lithographica (long extinct), lived 150 million years ago. Since 1500, 133 additional species have gone extinct, most recently the Carolina Parakeet and the Passenger Pigeon. Currently, there are 1,227 bird species facing extinction.
- Some species, such as the Kiwi and the Penguin, have lost their ability to fly.
- The largest bird is the Ostrich, at 353 lbs. The smallest is the Bee Hummingbird, at .056 oz.
- For millions of years, birds have used the stars and the sounds from the earth below to migrate at night. Most take the same path as their earlier ancestors. As many as 2-5 billion birds migrate between the northern and southern hemispheres each spring and fall.
Happy Birding!
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER
by Jill Palmer (from the Nov 2013 newsletter, photo by Will Stuart)
It's a bird with a funny name and a strange eating habit. Present in the Carolinas only during the winter, this tree-clinging bird of about 8 ½ inches systematically drills holes around a tree trunk, taking the sap and insects from the wells it creates. It maintains its sap wells daily to ensure its major food sources. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers forage for arthropods, sometimes dipping their catch in the sap to feed their young. Sapsuckers play an important ecological role by helping provide food and shelter for other species. Other birds, especially Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, will take advantage of the sap provided for them or the insects that are drawn to the sap. Cavity-nesting birds and flying squirrels will use a cavity in the absence of a nesting Sapsucker family.
Sapsuckers prefer early successional tree species and habitat for both nesting and feeding. Leaving the dead snags for other cavity-nesting species, the Sapsucker will drill its own cavity. Both parents work to complete the nest and share feeding responsibilities. Interestingly, the male will roost in the cavity at night with the young while the female roosts outside, clinging to the tree after foraging for her meal.
A clue to locating a Sapsucker after hearing its call or drumming is the fact that most of its sap wells are drilled on the trunk just below the crown of the tree or above the first living branch. Walk around the tree and look for rows of cavities at this level or on larger branches. Because it's easy to mistake a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker for a Downy or Hairy Woodpecker, study your field guide and go online to Cornellbirds.org to get familiar with its call. Once you've got the picture and call in mind, you'll be able to enjoy the Sapsucker's antics during its migration period to the Carolinas from late fall into early spring. If you are not lucky enough to have one visiting your yard, visit Squirrel Lake Park or one of the County Nature Preserves or parks.
by Jill Palmer (from the Nov 2013 newsletter, photo by Will Stuart)
It's a bird with a funny name and a strange eating habit. Present in the Carolinas only during the winter, this tree-clinging bird of about 8 ½ inches systematically drills holes around a tree trunk, taking the sap and insects from the wells it creates. It maintains its sap wells daily to ensure its major food sources. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers forage for arthropods, sometimes dipping their catch in the sap to feed their young. Sapsuckers play an important ecological role by helping provide food and shelter for other species. Other birds, especially Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, will take advantage of the sap provided for them or the insects that are drawn to the sap. Cavity-nesting birds and flying squirrels will use a cavity in the absence of a nesting Sapsucker family.
Sapsuckers prefer early successional tree species and habitat for both nesting and feeding. Leaving the dead snags for other cavity-nesting species, the Sapsucker will drill its own cavity. Both parents work to complete the nest and share feeding responsibilities. Interestingly, the male will roost in the cavity at night with the young while the female roosts outside, clinging to the tree after foraging for her meal.
A clue to locating a Sapsucker after hearing its call or drumming is the fact that most of its sap wells are drilled on the trunk just below the crown of the tree or above the first living branch. Walk around the tree and look for rows of cavities at this level or on larger branches. Because it's easy to mistake a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker for a Downy or Hairy Woodpecker, study your field guide and go online to Cornellbirds.org to get familiar with its call. Once you've got the picture and call in mind, you'll be able to enjoy the Sapsucker's antics during its migration period to the Carolinas from late fall into early spring. If you are not lucky enough to have one visiting your yard, visit Squirrel Lake Park or one of the County Nature Preserves or parks.
BIRD-WATCHING TIPS
Making the Best of Your Bird-Watching Experience
by Jill Palmer (from the Jan 2014 Newsletter)
* Birds are most active in the morning and late afternoon. Take a stroll and watch closely at those times each day, even if it is just around your yard.
* Birds are aware and wary of predators. Do not wear bright colors. Speak softly and walk quietly.
* Buy good binoculars. They don't need to be expensive, just good- quality. For beginners, 8X32 or 8X42 are ideal. The first number is the degree of magnification of the object. The second number indicates how much light comes through the lens. The bird will be 8 times closer with a magnification of 8. A number below 32 will not allow enough light for a clear image. (The larger these numbers, the heavier the binoculars.)
* Research field guides. Do you want to carry it with you? If so, buy one that is portable. Do you prefer real photos or drawings? Photos give you only one view. Most field guides with drawings give you several images of each species. Do pick a guide with range maps;they show if a species is likely in the area where you are bird watching. Consider a guide specific to where you are birding, for example, Eastern US, Western US, or a specific state. This will narrow down the species choices. Another option is a mobile app, available now, which also plays the song of the bird to help you ID it.
* Learn something about bird anatomy. Field guides use anatomy in describing species. Pay particular attention to the size, shape and profile of the bird, all of which will come into play in identification.
* Note the bird's habitat. Is it on or near the ground? Is it perched high in a tree? Does it cling to a tree? Are you at the beach? In the mountains? In a downtown park? These are all helpful clues.
* Study the bird's behavior. Is it in a group? Alone? Is it approachable, or does it fly off right away? Does it forage on leaves? In the grass? On a tree trunk?
Learning these basics will start you off on an enjoyable experience and will help you ID any bird, anywhere. When you're ready. you can expand to learning seasonal plumages and to identifying by song only. HAVE FUN!
Making the Best of Your Bird-Watching Experience
by Jill Palmer (from the Jan 2014 Newsletter)
* Birds are most active in the morning and late afternoon. Take a stroll and watch closely at those times each day, even if it is just around your yard.
* Birds are aware and wary of predators. Do not wear bright colors. Speak softly and walk quietly.
* Buy good binoculars. They don't need to be expensive, just good- quality. For beginners, 8X32 or 8X42 are ideal. The first number is the degree of magnification of the object. The second number indicates how much light comes through the lens. The bird will be 8 times closer with a magnification of 8. A number below 32 will not allow enough light for a clear image. (The larger these numbers, the heavier the binoculars.)
* Research field guides. Do you want to carry it with you? If so, buy one that is portable. Do you prefer real photos or drawings? Photos give you only one view. Most field guides with drawings give you several images of each species. Do pick a guide with range maps;they show if a species is likely in the area where you are bird watching. Consider a guide specific to where you are birding, for example, Eastern US, Western US, or a specific state. This will narrow down the species choices. Another option is a mobile app, available now, which also plays the song of the bird to help you ID it.
* Learn something about bird anatomy. Field guides use anatomy in describing species. Pay particular attention to the size, shape and profile of the bird, all of which will come into play in identification.
* Note the bird's habitat. Is it on or near the ground? Is it perched high in a tree? Does it cling to a tree? Are you at the beach? In the mountains? In a downtown park? These are all helpful clues.
* Study the bird's behavior. Is it in a group? Alone? Is it approachable, or does it fly off right away? Does it forage on leaves? In the grass? On a tree trunk?
Learning these basics will start you off on an enjoyable experience and will help you ID any bird, anywhere. When you're ready. you can expand to learning seasonal plumages and to identifying by song only. HAVE FUN!
SPRING MIGRATION
by Jill Palmer (from the April 2014 newsletter)
As you're sitting down at your computer with your favorite beverage, reading your favorite electronic newsletter ("HAWK Tales"), spring migration of Warblers is well underway. You may already have seen migrating Warblers in your yard or at one of your favorite bird-watching spots. Of the 30+ species of Warblers in the East, most will migrate through Mecklenburg County. (A few species breed here.) By the end of May, when migration slows, you'll be at the chiropractor trying to explain Warbler-neck.
To see Warblers, prepare yourself with a good field guide to Eastern birds and spend time on Cornell's All About Birds site to familiarize yourself with their calls. Some you will hear but not see, as some species stay in the tops of the trees and flit around so fast it is hard to get binoculars on them. Early morning is the best time for spotting Warblers. They have just landed from their all-night flight and are hungry and thirsty and need to feed before a quick afternoon nap. Most stay for a day then continue on their way, while others may stay for several days.
Birds, like all life, need water. Look for Warblers along stream and pond edges. Watch trees for evidence of caterpillars, great sources of energy needed for the next leg of the trip (sometimes involving more than a thousand miles).
Warblers fly in flocks, sometimes referred to as "waves." Coming across a wave of several species creates a warbler "good day," when you might see over 15 different species. Best spots for Warbler watching in Mecklenburg County are Latta Park in Dilworth, Ribbon Walk, and almost all of the greenways. Monitor the Mecklenburg Audubon website and sign up for "list-serve" to get walks, locations, and what is being seen where. Easy-to-find species include Black and White Warbler, America Redstart, Black-Throated Blue, Ovenbird, and Hooded Warbler.
Are there threats to migrating birds? Absolutely! Tall, lit buildings, which disrupt night migration and cause millions of deaths a season; cats, which are major predators; cell towers; bad weather, and lack of food due to climate change.
by Jill Palmer (from the April 2014 newsletter)
As you're sitting down at your computer with your favorite beverage, reading your favorite electronic newsletter ("HAWK Tales"), spring migration of Warblers is well underway. You may already have seen migrating Warblers in your yard or at one of your favorite bird-watching spots. Of the 30+ species of Warblers in the East, most will migrate through Mecklenburg County. (A few species breed here.) By the end of May, when migration slows, you'll be at the chiropractor trying to explain Warbler-neck.
To see Warblers, prepare yourself with a good field guide to Eastern birds and spend time on Cornell's All About Birds site to familiarize yourself with their calls. Some you will hear but not see, as some species stay in the tops of the trees and flit around so fast it is hard to get binoculars on them. Early morning is the best time for spotting Warblers. They have just landed from their all-night flight and are hungry and thirsty and need to feed before a quick afternoon nap. Most stay for a day then continue on their way, while others may stay for several days.
Birds, like all life, need water. Look for Warblers along stream and pond edges. Watch trees for evidence of caterpillars, great sources of energy needed for the next leg of the trip (sometimes involving more than a thousand miles).
Warblers fly in flocks, sometimes referred to as "waves." Coming across a wave of several species creates a warbler "good day," when you might see over 15 different species. Best spots for Warbler watching in Mecklenburg County are Latta Park in Dilworth, Ribbon Walk, and almost all of the greenways. Monitor the Mecklenburg Audubon website and sign up for "list-serve" to get walks, locations, and what is being seen where. Easy-to-find species include Black and White Warbler, America Redstart, Black-Throated Blue, Ovenbird, and Hooded Warbler.
Are there threats to migrating birds? Absolutely! Tall, lit buildings, which disrupt night migration and cause millions of deaths a season; cats, which are major predators; cell towers; bad weather, and lack of food due to climate change.
BARRED OWLS
by Jill Palmer (from the Aug 2014 newsletter)
When I first moved to Matthews 17 years ago, I thought I had a troop of monkeys in my yard one night. Very quickly I learned it was a pair of caterwauling Barred Owls. Caterwauling is the very raucous jumble of hoots, caws and gurgles made by a pair of owls calling back and forth to each other during breeding season. For me, there is no way to describe this call other than to relate it to a troop of monkeys.
The most familiar of their calls is the "two-phase hoot": a rhythmic, strongly accented hoo-hoo-to-hoo-ooo, hoo-hoo-hoo-to-whooo-oo, or (phonetically speaking)
"Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?" usually followed by the "ascending hoot": a downwardly inflected "hoo-aw." (Click here for a sampling of their calls.)
Although Barred Owls are said to be more often heard than seen, in our area they are commonly both heard and seen. Their preferred habitat is old-growth unfragmented forests with ample nesting cavities. Most of our parks and older neighborhoods have the perfect mix of trees and riparian areas required for hunting small mammals, fish, amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles - even other bird species. Owls hunt predominantly at night, silently, until the prey is captured; then it is the prey that can be heard, not the owl! During daytime, if you are lucky, you may spot an owl perched over a small stream waiting for the opportunity to pounce upon its prey. Most frequently, they appear to be napping.
The flight of the Barred Owl, like that of most owl species, is silent. You may hear a slight flutter of vegetation upon takeoff but, once aloft, the glide is graceful and the wing beats, silent. It is not uncommon to get swooped upon by a Barred Owl along the Greenway or in Squirrel Lake Park, especially at dusk as it finds its nighttime hunting perch.
Barred Owl populations are steady now in our area. However, loss of unfragmented forests blocks, as well as the growth of the population of the Great Horned Owl (a predator of the Barred Owl), could decrease the numbers locally. You can help by preserving on your property any large old trees with cavities suitable for nesting. To learn more about this species, visit the Carolina Raptor Center for an up-close and personal experience and keep on the lookout along the Greenway and in Squirrel Lake Park.
by Jill Palmer (from the Aug 2014 newsletter)
When I first moved to Matthews 17 years ago, I thought I had a troop of monkeys in my yard one night. Very quickly I learned it was a pair of caterwauling Barred Owls. Caterwauling is the very raucous jumble of hoots, caws and gurgles made by a pair of owls calling back and forth to each other during breeding season. For me, there is no way to describe this call other than to relate it to a troop of monkeys.
The most familiar of their calls is the "two-phase hoot": a rhythmic, strongly accented hoo-hoo-to-hoo-ooo, hoo-hoo-hoo-to-whooo-oo, or (phonetically speaking)
"Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?" usually followed by the "ascending hoot": a downwardly inflected "hoo-aw." (Click here for a sampling of their calls.)
Although Barred Owls are said to be more often heard than seen, in our area they are commonly both heard and seen. Their preferred habitat is old-growth unfragmented forests with ample nesting cavities. Most of our parks and older neighborhoods have the perfect mix of trees and riparian areas required for hunting small mammals, fish, amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles - even other bird species. Owls hunt predominantly at night, silently, until the prey is captured; then it is the prey that can be heard, not the owl! During daytime, if you are lucky, you may spot an owl perched over a small stream waiting for the opportunity to pounce upon its prey. Most frequently, they appear to be napping.
The flight of the Barred Owl, like that of most owl species, is silent. You may hear a slight flutter of vegetation upon takeoff but, once aloft, the glide is graceful and the wing beats, silent. It is not uncommon to get swooped upon by a Barred Owl along the Greenway or in Squirrel Lake Park, especially at dusk as it finds its nighttime hunting perch.
Barred Owl populations are steady now in our area. However, loss of unfragmented forests blocks, as well as the growth of the population of the Great Horned Owl (a predator of the Barred Owl), could decrease the numbers locally. You can help by preserving on your property any large old trees with cavities suitable for nesting. To learn more about this species, visit the Carolina Raptor Center for an up-close and personal experience and keep on the lookout along the Greenway and in Squirrel Lake Park.
A FALL WALK IN THE WOODS
by Matt Janson (from the November 2014 newsletter)
Tramping about nearby woods, fields, and streams or even your own backyard as the leaves begin to turn is an exciting experience. Squirrels and chipmunks scurry to-and-fro, hoarding the bombarding acorns and hickory nuts. The last remaining neotropical migrants, a few warblers and tanagers, trickle through. Hardwoods erupt into a brilliant pallet of reds, oranges, and yellows. Suddenly, you hear a vaguely familiar call: "Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada" or, more likely, just the first couple of phrases. Wracking your memory to identify this autumn newcomer, you spot a smallish bird bouncing through the thicket. At last the wanderer pops up onto a bare twig for a moment, just long enough for you to recognize the gray breast, yellow lore, streaky back, and, of course, the white throat.
White-throated Sparrows begin arriving in mid-October and will stay in our area through April; they are hard to miss. Small bands of these northern breeders become mainstays at ground feeders throughout the winter. White millet is one of their favorite foods, and they aren't picky about how their table is set. Simply scattering millet on the ground should be enough to attract some white-throats, our most common winter sparrow, as well as some other smart-looking ground feeders.
The Slate-colored Junco is another sparrow that inhabits our area during the winter. Juncos, with their tuxedoed plumage, are a good example of an "altitudinal migrant," i.e., a bird that, instead of going farther south, simply goes to a lower altitude. Indeed, most of the Juncos you see at your feeders have likely bred in the southern Appalachians, generally at an altitude of 5,000 feet or greater. Their favorite habitat is spruce-fir forest. A visit to Mt. Mitchell or Clingman's Dome in spring will fill your ears with the trill of numerous Juncos; sometimes it seems they're the only birds there.
Despite their more striking plumage, Juncos are, in fact, sparrows, closely related to their streaky brown cousins. Juncos and other sparrows, such as Fox Sparrows and Towhees, are also fond of foraging for food in leaf litter. So this year, instead of getting out the bags when the leaves hit the lawn, create a leaf substrate in a natural area or consider composting your leaves, conserving and recycling those valuable nutrients. Gather sticks and branches, as well. Sparrows, being skittish, will enjoy a nearby brush pile to skulk in. You can make your backyard habitat better for our easy-to-please and fascinating winter sparrows.
by Matt Janson (from the November 2014 newsletter)
Tramping about nearby woods, fields, and streams or even your own backyard as the leaves begin to turn is an exciting experience. Squirrels and chipmunks scurry to-and-fro, hoarding the bombarding acorns and hickory nuts. The last remaining neotropical migrants, a few warblers and tanagers, trickle through. Hardwoods erupt into a brilliant pallet of reds, oranges, and yellows. Suddenly, you hear a vaguely familiar call: "Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada" or, more likely, just the first couple of phrases. Wracking your memory to identify this autumn newcomer, you spot a smallish bird bouncing through the thicket. At last the wanderer pops up onto a bare twig for a moment, just long enough for you to recognize the gray breast, yellow lore, streaky back, and, of course, the white throat.
White-throated Sparrows begin arriving in mid-October and will stay in our area through April; they are hard to miss. Small bands of these northern breeders become mainstays at ground feeders throughout the winter. White millet is one of their favorite foods, and they aren't picky about how their table is set. Simply scattering millet on the ground should be enough to attract some white-throats, our most common winter sparrow, as well as some other smart-looking ground feeders.
The Slate-colored Junco is another sparrow that inhabits our area during the winter. Juncos, with their tuxedoed plumage, are a good example of an "altitudinal migrant," i.e., a bird that, instead of going farther south, simply goes to a lower altitude. Indeed, most of the Juncos you see at your feeders have likely bred in the southern Appalachians, generally at an altitude of 5,000 feet or greater. Their favorite habitat is spruce-fir forest. A visit to Mt. Mitchell or Clingman's Dome in spring will fill your ears with the trill of numerous Juncos; sometimes it seems they're the only birds there.
Despite their more striking plumage, Juncos are, in fact, sparrows, closely related to their streaky brown cousins. Juncos and other sparrows, such as Fox Sparrows and Towhees, are also fond of foraging for food in leaf litter. So this year, instead of getting out the bags when the leaves hit the lawn, create a leaf substrate in a natural area or consider composting your leaves, conserving and recycling those valuable nutrients. Gather sticks and branches, as well. Sparrows, being skittish, will enjoy a nearby brush pile to skulk in. You can make your backyard habitat better for our easy-to-please and fascinating winter sparrows.
Wrens: Year-round? Summer Visitor? Winter Visitor?
by Jill Palmer (from the Feb 2015 newsletter)
In the North Carolina Piedmont, we can expect to see three species of Wrens: Carolina Wren, House Wren and Winter Wren. You may also see a vagrant Sedge Wren. To learn these birds, observe their characteristics and habits.
Who does not know the raucous Carolina Wren? It's usually the first bird you hear in the morning, with its "tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea-kettle" greeting. The largest of the three species (at a mere 51/2 inches), it is easily identifiable with its deep rusty brown back, warm buffy color on its underside, and prominent eyebrow. Carolina Wrens reside in our area year-round, as common in our yards as in the deep woods. They are known to build their nest anywhere - in your garage, under your deck chair covers, inside your vehicle if you happen to leave a window open. Although insects are their favorite food, they will also come to seed and suet.
House Wren Song
Our second wren, the House Wren, is less common but equally vocal. Migrating a bit to the south in winter, it is seen and heard here mostly in the spring nesting season when it comes into our habitats looking for nesting cavities. It will readily take over one or more of your bird houses if it can't find a suitable tree cavity. The male will build multiple nests for the female to choose from. The nest is easy to recognize, as it resembles a pile of sticks stuck in a box. The House Wren is a bit smaller, at 4 ¾ inches, than the Carolina Wren and can be distinguished by its drabber brown color, fainter eyebrow and barring on the chest. House Wrens chatter an unmistakable cascade of bubbling, whistled notes.
Winter Wren
The Winter Wren is the most fun Wren to see. Very uncommon in our back yards, it prefers deeper woods, nesting in dense brush. For the most part, this species is a winter-only visitor in our area, coming south in the fall. At only 4 inches, it is very small and difficult to spot. The best characteristic for differentiating the Winter Wren from the House Wren is its very pert, stubby tail, standing straight up in the air and twitching rapidly as it moves through the brush. Its call is a "kelp-kelp" similar to a Song Sparrow. Its song is a rapid series of melodious trills. Look for Winter Wrens searching for insects in thick brush and on logs. They can be gone in a flash but may reappear. It is difficult to get long looks at this species, so enjoy it if the opportunity should arise.
Sedge Wrens have been reported in Mecklenburg County in wet meadows or sedge marshes. They are always a lister's treat, a bird to add to one's life list without traveling too far. At 4 ½ inches, they also have a pert stubby tail. The crown and the back are brown- and light-streaked. Do take time to look up the Sedge Wren in your bird book, become familiar with this uncommon species, and enjoy its visits to our area.
by Jill Palmer (from the Feb 2015 newsletter)
In the North Carolina Piedmont, we can expect to see three species of Wrens: Carolina Wren, House Wren and Winter Wren. You may also see a vagrant Sedge Wren. To learn these birds, observe their characteristics and habits.
Who does not know the raucous Carolina Wren? It's usually the first bird you hear in the morning, with its "tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea-kettle" greeting. The largest of the three species (at a mere 51/2 inches), it is easily identifiable with its deep rusty brown back, warm buffy color on its underside, and prominent eyebrow. Carolina Wrens reside in our area year-round, as common in our yards as in the deep woods. They are known to build their nest anywhere - in your garage, under your deck chair covers, inside your vehicle if you happen to leave a window open. Although insects are their favorite food, they will also come to seed and suet.
House Wren Song
Our second wren, the House Wren, is less common but equally vocal. Migrating a bit to the south in winter, it is seen and heard here mostly in the spring nesting season when it comes into our habitats looking for nesting cavities. It will readily take over one or more of your bird houses if it can't find a suitable tree cavity. The male will build multiple nests for the female to choose from. The nest is easy to recognize, as it resembles a pile of sticks stuck in a box. The House Wren is a bit smaller, at 4 ¾ inches, than the Carolina Wren and can be distinguished by its drabber brown color, fainter eyebrow and barring on the chest. House Wrens chatter an unmistakable cascade of bubbling, whistled notes.
Winter Wren
The Winter Wren is the most fun Wren to see. Very uncommon in our back yards, it prefers deeper woods, nesting in dense brush. For the most part, this species is a winter-only visitor in our area, coming south in the fall. At only 4 inches, it is very small and difficult to spot. The best characteristic for differentiating the Winter Wren from the House Wren is its very pert, stubby tail, standing straight up in the air and twitching rapidly as it moves through the brush. Its call is a "kelp-kelp" similar to a Song Sparrow. Its song is a rapid series of melodious trills. Look for Winter Wrens searching for insects in thick brush and on logs. They can be gone in a flash but may reappear. It is difficult to get long looks at this species, so enjoy it if the opportunity should arise.
Sedge Wrens have been reported in Mecklenburg County in wet meadows or sedge marshes. They are always a lister's treat, a bird to add to one's life list without traveling too far. At 4 ½ inches, they also have a pert stubby tail. The crown and the back are brown- and light-streaked. Do take time to look up the Sedge Wren in your bird book, become familiar with this uncommon species, and enjoy its visits to our area.
Spring Migration
by Matt Janson (from the April 2015 newsletter, photo by Will Stuart)
It begins as a trickle. Two weeks later, it's an all out deluge: the annual avian phenomenon known as spring migration. The first signs start in mid-March, just as plant life reawakens from its winter slumber. A buzz of a Parula here, a quick glimpse of a Swallow there: the wise birder recognizes these as tokens of a living palette advancing north towards the temperate forests and fields where they will breed and raise young. By mid-April, migration in our area is in full force and nearing peak. Stream sides abound with thirsty migrants such as Hooded and Black-throated Blue Warblers; Louisiana Waterthrush echo their descending songs along the banks. Canopies become drenched with Warblers, Tanagers, Orioles, Vireos and Buntings picking through the young buds for succulent insects. A few stay in the Piedmont to raise young, but most continue to the high mountains of Appalachia or southern Canada, where an abundance of bugs fuels the voracious fledglings. The migrants hurry through, and by mid-May, our local migrants have settled in and perhaps begun nesting, while northbound birds have primarily passed.
During this short window, however, make an attempt to visit one of our local parks and greenways. On good days, nearly any patch of scrubby vegetation could hold a small flock of migrants. Migrating mainly at night, weather conditions can cause a "fallout", where migrants have to stay aground for days, foraging in mixed flocks that are sure to dazzle any birdwatcher's discriminating eye with a rainbow of oranges, reds, greens, yellows, blacks, blues, and whites.
by Matt Janson (from the April 2015 newsletter, photo by Will Stuart)
It begins as a trickle. Two weeks later, it's an all out deluge: the annual avian phenomenon known as spring migration. The first signs start in mid-March, just as plant life reawakens from its winter slumber. A buzz of a Parula here, a quick glimpse of a Swallow there: the wise birder recognizes these as tokens of a living palette advancing north towards the temperate forests and fields where they will breed and raise young. By mid-April, migration in our area is in full force and nearing peak. Stream sides abound with thirsty migrants such as Hooded and Black-throated Blue Warblers; Louisiana Waterthrush echo their descending songs along the banks. Canopies become drenched with Warblers, Tanagers, Orioles, Vireos and Buntings picking through the young buds for succulent insects. A few stay in the Piedmont to raise young, but most continue to the high mountains of Appalachia or southern Canada, where an abundance of bugs fuels the voracious fledglings. The migrants hurry through, and by mid-May, our local migrants have settled in and perhaps begun nesting, while northbound birds have primarily passed.
During this short window, however, make an attempt to visit one of our local parks and greenways. On good days, nearly any patch of scrubby vegetation could hold a small flock of migrants. Migrating mainly at night, weather conditions can cause a "fallout", where migrants have to stay aground for days, foraging in mixed flocks that are sure to dazzle any birdwatcher's discriminating eye with a rainbow of oranges, reds, greens, yellows, blacks, blues, and whites.
Birds and Climate Change: What We've Seen, What's to Come
by Jill Palmer
It's been well known for a very long time that birds are good indicators of what is going wrong with the environment, from Canaries in the coal mines to seeing fewer Bobwhites and hearing fewer Whip-poor-wills on summer evenings. Our feathered friends that give us so much joy have had a rough couple of hundred years since the development of our country has decimated the habitat they once enjoyed as their breeding territory, where they felt safe in the natural surroundings and where their ancestors had raised generations of offspring. In addition, natural events, such as extreme weather and early or late springs, as well as man-induced events such as hunting for food, for feathers, or for sheer pleasure has decreased or made extinct several species over the last 200 years. Fortunately, the discovery of the impact of these man-induced events led to, for instance, the formation of the Audubon Society, which has, among other things, saved birds from the hat industry's use of feathers in the 1800's.
Today, birds face a new challenge: Climate Change, which affects their habitats in ways never before seen: melting glaciers, the rise of sea levels, droughts, wildfires and extreme weather. Imagine traveling 1,000 difficult miles and arriving at your breeding grounds to find the insects you need to feed your young no longer exist or your forest either no longer there or so decimated that you can't breed or live there! Of 588 bird species that National Audubon studied in North America, 314 are at risk. Of those, 126 species are at risk of severe declines by 2050 and a further 188 species by 2080, with numerous extinctions possible if global warming is allowed to erase today's bird havens.
Once again, birds need our help. And help we can, by reducing carbon emissions throughout our everyday lives and encouraging our representatives to pass appropriate legislation. We can plant native plants, create habitats in our yards and in other green spaces, and make other simple everyday choices to save birds and enable us to enjoy their company for as long as we make our journey on earth.
by Jill Palmer
It's been well known for a very long time that birds are good indicators of what is going wrong with the environment, from Canaries in the coal mines to seeing fewer Bobwhites and hearing fewer Whip-poor-wills on summer evenings. Our feathered friends that give us so much joy have had a rough couple of hundred years since the development of our country has decimated the habitat they once enjoyed as their breeding territory, where they felt safe in the natural surroundings and where their ancestors had raised generations of offspring. In addition, natural events, such as extreme weather and early or late springs, as well as man-induced events such as hunting for food, for feathers, or for sheer pleasure has decreased or made extinct several species over the last 200 years. Fortunately, the discovery of the impact of these man-induced events led to, for instance, the formation of the Audubon Society, which has, among other things, saved birds from the hat industry's use of feathers in the 1800's.
Today, birds face a new challenge: Climate Change, which affects their habitats in ways never before seen: melting glaciers, the rise of sea levels, droughts, wildfires and extreme weather. Imagine traveling 1,000 difficult miles and arriving at your breeding grounds to find the insects you need to feed your young no longer exist or your forest either no longer there or so decimated that you can't breed or live there! Of 588 bird species that National Audubon studied in North America, 314 are at risk. Of those, 126 species are at risk of severe declines by 2050 and a further 188 species by 2080, with numerous extinctions possible if global warming is allowed to erase today's bird havens.
Once again, birds need our help. And help we can, by reducing carbon emissions throughout our everyday lives and encouraging our representatives to pass appropriate legislation. We can plant native plants, create habitats in our yards and in other green spaces, and make other simple everyday choices to save birds and enable us to enjoy their company for as long as we make our journey on earth.
