During the winter months in Eastern North Carolina, when the leaves are off the trees, and food is scarce, the Hawks can be more easily seen as they hunt for mice, birds, and squirrels in the woods and fields. This winter I have been fortunate to see a good many in several places I frequently visit. Below are some photos i have gotten off those encounters. See pics below.
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On Jan. 8 (a week ago), here in midwinter Eastern North Carolina, I was sitting at the edge of a patch of woods bordering a field waiting for a flock of wild turkeys that usually crossed here to get water at a small pond. About 20 yards into the field, I noticed a small movement that appeared to be deep in the grass. AS I watched, the movement would appear briefly then stop. This continued until I was able to make out the images of Northern Bobwhite creeping through the brown, foot-high straw that was partially flattened by winter costs. It was a flock of Quail trying to creep slowly back to the safety of the woods. I began to try to capture a few pictures as they continued their slow march. They traveled in twos and threes and were only partially visible most of the time, their coloration a good camoflage in the grass.In all, I was able to count 39 birds in the flock. The Quail in North Carolina can seldom be found today due to historic overhunting and more recent loss of habitat and good food sources. This area of about 2000 acres has a good food supply and is protected from hunting. There are many Northern Bobwhite that are wild here and reproduce annually. You can find Quail io hunt in N.C., but only on commercial farms tht raise them in pens and “salt” them for hunters and their dogs to “hunt”. I am delighted to have this site available to me to photograph real wild Quail!! See pictures below. SEE PICS BELOW. CLICK ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. THEN CLICK SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE BETWEEN PICS. SCROLL UP OR DOWN TO SEE RECENT ENTRIES, OR CLICK ON ARCHIVES ON RIGHT FOR PAST JOURNAL ENTRIES BY MONTH AND YEAR.I visited my old friend, Huntington Beach State Park near Myrtle Beach,SC last week. Spent about 3 hours walking the trails and shorelines checking out the birds. This time of year is good for shorebirds, but is usually a little early for ducks and I saw none. Did see a few Mergansers. There were a few Roseate Spoonbills roosting in the trees in the swamp area along “Alligator Alley”, as well as a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron. I was happy to see again after a couple of years, the resident Bald Eagle. It was a joy as always to spend some time in this beautiful setting and getting a few pictures. I have been slack lately getting my pictures up on the journal, but will get back to it after New Years. Thanks for checking in!!! See pics below. SEE PICS BELOW. CLICK ON ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. SCROLL UP OR DOWN FOR MORE RECENT ENTRIES OR CLICK ON THE ARCHIVES ON LEFT FOR OLDER POSTS.The Dickcissel migrates from South America primarily to the midwest U.S. in the spring, and back to South America in the fall. They breed primarily in the midwestern plains, preferring large fields with high grasses and thick, brushy edges. This spring several pairs of these beautiful birds have nested here in eastern North Carolina in a large field near the Tar River and Greenville, NC. They were first seen here 3 years ago, but there was no observed evidence of breeding until this year. They chose a nest site in thick brush along a drainage ditch crossing the field. The nest was located near the ground in the center of the brush. The female’s comings and goings were easily observable. The male is very verbal and constantly watching and protecting the family. As the female feeds the brood, the male sits atop surrounding bush tops and shoos away any intruders and communicates to the female. All intruders/rivals are challenged and run away. This visibility made it very easy to capture the pictures you will see below. The 3 chicks were in the nest about twelve days, then they began to climb out onto the branches above the nest, requiring mom to seek out each one for feeding. This became an increasing chore as each chick moved farther and farther away from the nest. Eventually mom was required to feed out in the surrounding field area. Soon, the chicks were flying around the area. Getting photos of this whole process was amazing! It was a rare treat and was my first experience with this rare bird in our area of the country. While rare, it is not surprising because the habitat in this field is exactly like much of the midwest habitat. I look forward to their return next year! Enjoy the pictures below. SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. SCROLL UP OR DOWN TO SEE OTHER RECENT POSTS. OR CLICK ON THE ARCHIVES ON THE RIGHT FOR OLDER POSTS BY DATE.Spring is always a special time, bringing renewal and revisiting with birds who return to our world after spending the winter in far away places. when they return, they are usually more brightly colored than when they left the fall before. They are prepared for mating and nesting and bringing a new round of vibrant life to the area. One of my favorite field birds is the Red-winged Blackbird. The contrasting red wingtips against their black body is quite striking. The males are eye-catching when they sit on an elevated perch and spread their wings as they call for a mate and show the red wing-tips. A surprise this year in one of my favorite birding sites here in eastern North Carolina are several pairs of Dickcissels. These birds are far from there usual spring sites in the prairie lands of the midwest. The field where they are nesting locally offers perfect habitat with broad open field area and low tree and brush nesting sites along field edges. Their nests are usually in a thick brush close to the ground. There are also Grackles, Grasshopper sparrows, Blue Grosbeaks, Meadowlarks, all who nest here. Joining these residents are visiting Bobolinks passing through and stopping to feed on Winter Wheat as they migrate on to nesting areas further west and north. See pics below of all these and more. CLICK ON ANY PIC TO ENLARGE IN GALLERY BELOW. USE SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE FROM PIC TO PIC. SCROLL UP OR DOWN FOR OTHER RECENT POSTS, OR CLICK ON ARCHIVES ON RIGHT FOR OLDER ENTRIESVisiting this great birding site always provides a good outing with the current bird population as well as the charming coastal environment, The fresh spring greens and ocean air present an enchanting backdrop for a walk along the trails that wind through the maritime forest, The pictures below were taken along the Yarrow Loop trail which starts in front of the visitor’s center and winds along and around a freshwater pond, Along the east side of the pond, you find yourself between the pond on one side and Beaufort Inlet on the other. Along this quarter mile loop, you can see both shorebirds and woods birds, with varying species around the seasons. Last week I was blessed to spend a couple of mornings here and captured the pictures below. SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ON ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. USE SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH. SCROLL UP OR DOWN TO SEE OTHER RECENT POSTS, OR CLICK ON THE ARCHIVES ON RIGHT FOR OLDER POSTS.Every year in the early spring here in Eastern North Carolina, my attention turns to the activities of our local Bald Eagles. I am always anxious to know if the local pairs I follow are on track to get their nests ready and provide the world with another generation of young eaglets to keep increasing the local population. Eagles in this area nest and reproduce between late January and mid-march. I know and track 6 eagle nests in the area. This year, five of the six are actively engaged with new births.There are a total of ten chicks in the six nests. The nest this journal is about has two chicks and the pictures below were taken at this nest. This nest is situated in the Tar River swamp and has been productive for the past twelve years.Seven years ago, nesting was started but was stopped by the nest being torn down in a windstorm. The pair moved the nest to a nearby tree where it has been successful since. Nest building began this year in early February and babies were born around mid-march. Feeding has been successful and the chicks appear to be healthy at this point. See pictures below. SEE PICS BELOW. CLICK ON ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. USE SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH.SCROLL UP OR DOWM FOR OTHER RECENT ENTRYS OR CLICK ON ARCHIVES ON RIGHT FOR OLDER ENTRYSFort Macon at Atlantic Beach NC is a great birding area no matter the time of year, but some times are better than others. A variety of birds can be found here year round with seasonal changes guaranteed. February may be the least desirable of times as the variety of species is probably at its lowest. Common winter birds of the area make up the majority of the species and shorebirds are at their lowest presence. On this visit I was able to see Mottled Ducks, Common Mergansers, and a few woods birds. This location offers a great combination of of seabirds, shorebirds, and a good flow of migrants in both fall and spring. This visit is just a few weeks early for the coastal spring migration. See pics below of birds I did see. Winter temperatures have been slow to come this year in Eastern N.C., but they have finally arrived. All the leaves are down and everything now is the grey/brown backdrop of the cold season, Part of what I like this time of year is the way this winter backdrop makes the colors of the birds stand out. Even though bird colors are generally brighter in the spring when it is mating time, the duller glow of winter greatly highlights the blues, yellows, and reds, but also the subtler shades of brown, tan, and rust. The pics below are of our common local species in their winter coats and dresses. Also are a few shots of Fox squirrels which have been seen in excess numbers in the area. Enjoy the pics! And Merry Christmas! SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. SCROLL UP OR DOWN FOR ALL PICS. CLICK ON ARCHIVES ON RIGHT FOR OLDER ENTRIES,Fall is my favorite time of the year. The birds are adding new visitors as they change locations, and the cool air brings color changes that excite the eye! The Field is turning tan and brown and offers a nice backdrop to the wild Coreopsis blooming there this time of the seasons.In addition to the birds and flowers, deer and Fox Squirrels have been abundent this fall. This backdrop to my efforts to capture the birds living or passing through the area add to the enjoyment of being outdoors and trying to get that “perfect” picture. It is truly a privilege during our “Covid Period” to be able to be in an environment that affords no worry about getting the virus. I am truly blessed!! The pictures below were taken during the period of Sept. 15-Nov. 14. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them!!See below. SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ON ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. SCROLL UP AND DOWN FOR MORE RECENT ENTRYS, OR CLICK ON ARCHIVES ON THE RIGHT FOR OLDER POSTS. |
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