The summer banding at Mason Neck WLR Fairfax County has been very slow so
far but today we
were cheered by show put on by a pair of anting SCARLET TANAGERS. There was
a small ant
swarm at the base of a large tree about 4 feet from the end of one of our
nets and a pair
of tanagers took advantage of it. The amazing part was that the birds were
completely
indifferent to our presence. We were standing by the net when they flew in
and they proceeded
to hop around on the tree trunk, the ground and the net tie down lines
within 3 to 4
feet of us. At first we thought they were eating the ants, but it became
obvious the
tanagers were rubbing the ants over their bodies. We watched them for about
10 minutes
before they left. I think the is just about the closest I have ever been
approached by a
completely wild bird that knew I was there. No, they did not get into the
net, but maybe
they will bring the family later on.
Cheers, Joanna
Joanna B. Taylor
Arlington, VA
jandrtaylor@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
