Hi,
Fingers crossed...it looks like we have spring! Yesterday Bob Harris and I
launched from Dutch Gap to start the 2018 Prothonotary survey season.
After many rain-outs and reschedules we at last had success. Warbler song was
all around. Yellow swamp Iris is beginning to bloom and nestling birds are all
around. Yesterday was mainly spring cleaning of nest boxes. There were a few
"starts" in boxes, a male Prothonotary's "sprig of moss" offering to entice a
would-be mate. Many boxes had males and females flying in and out checking the
real estate. Carolina Chickadees were found in several boxes either brooding a
clutch of eggs or tending to nestlings.A pair of Bald Eagle nestlings were "out
on the limb" near their nest in the woods and nicely visible from our vantage
point in the canoe.A Barred Owl flew over the river clutching a snake and a
Great Horned Owl gave us a staring contest from high above in a Pine. Advantage
Owl!
Happy to hear Yellow warblers, Orchard Oriole, Black and white warblers,
Black-throated Blue's and greens and many Grey Catbirds as well as many other
arrivals that have already been reported on this list serv. Noticeably absent
was any Vireo song. We typically hear a Warbling Vireo out in the river channel
but yesterday we concentrated our efforts to the lagoon. Hoping a WAVI is
singing out there. The decline of Red-eyed Vireo song at Dutch Gap is a sad
pattern we have seen (not heard) over the past few years.
Attaching a few images from a wonderful day on the water.
JulieKacmarcik
Chester
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launch 27 April 2018.jpg
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cloudage.jpg
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2 BAEA siblings.jpg
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for rent.jpg
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GBHE penthouse.jpg
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the stare down.jpg
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hey little girl...SY.jpg
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welcome back little guy.jpg
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beki.jpg
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