Blog Archives

BACK TO FORT MACON STATE PARK

3/19/2014

I have not been able to do any work on this website in a few days because I was busy paying the price for years of sun exposure--this past monday, I had surgery on my nose for a small skin cancer--fortunately not the serious kind-- but putting a crimp in my ability to get outdoors. Last weekend, Glyn and I were back at Fort Macon and, as usual birding there was productive. My last two visits there I have seen more Black-crowned Night Herons in one small area than I have ever seen anywhere before. They are roosting in the Red Cedars, and at one point, I guess my presence spooked them and the whole flock was in the air--I know there were at least 50-75!! They circled around and quickly returned to the cedars. This is a real sight to see if you are in the area.

There were also about 20 White Ibis in breeding color in the pond along the Elliot Coues Trail. I was able to get a few nice pics of their antics. Also along the trail were Bluebirds, Yellow-rumps, mating Doves and House Finches, grackles, Red-wing BBs, and the ever present Cardinals and Mockingbirds.

On the beach at the inlet was a lone Ruddy Turnstone, and in the inlet a couple of Ruddy Ducks . There was a great sunrise which made the morning special. See pics below.

SEE PICS BELOW. CLICK ON PIC TO ENLARGE

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SPRING! SPRING! at RIVER PARK NORTH

3/11/2014

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It never fails to surprise me at how suddenly the weather can change here in the east and almost go from one season to another in a day or two. Four days ago, we were struggling with 20-30 degree temps and the feeling winter was a permanent fixture. And now, 2 days of 70+ degree temperatures!! Unbelievable!! I went to River Park North this morning and it was so nice to actually be outside walking around and being warm. No clouds to be seen--a real spring day.

The other thing that is amazing to me is how quickly life returns with a few warm days--I would not have believed leaving home this morning that I would return home with pictures of butterflies--see the Mourning Cloak and Comma below. These are two of our earliest each year. Turtles were sunning everywhere. There are mostly winter bird residents still around, but the spring migration should very soon be underway.

GREAT NEWS! The Osprey pair that have been nesting in the park for several years are back!! The new powerlines that are being replaced required that their nesting platform be replaced with one that is only half as high as the previous one, and many of us worried that they may not take to the new one. Well, as you can see in the pictures below, they seem to have already adopted the place as their site and are engaging in courtship and nest building-- so we can look forward to new babies soon!

I must warn you that the park is quite flooded from the recent snow melt and rain--you can only walk the main road as far as the second power lines. The water should subside in a few days--time to get out there and enjoy this warmth!! See pics below.

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FIELD VISIT OF THE MASKED BANDITS

3/3/2014

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Yesterday(Sunday), I visited the Field to see what late winter birds might be around. I saw a few chipping and white-throated sparrows, Bluejays, cardinals, grackles, and a Red-tailed hawk around the edges of the recently plowed main field. I headed to the back to a small, separated field that is never plowed. At the back corner of this pasture is a very old red cedar that marks the site of an early Pitt County homestead. As I approached the tree, I could see from some distance that there were hundreds of birds flying in, out, and around it from top to bottom. I suspected immediately that it was a flock of one of my favorite birds, one that we only see occasionally--the masked bandits-- Cedar Waxwings!! These beautiful and distinctive wanderers travel far and wide in large flocks for food this time of year, since their favorite fruits and berries are extremely scarce. In eastern NC, one of their late winter sources of food is the red cedar fruits that ripen in mid to late winter, and which are plentiful here. It is amazing to watch a flock of these guys devour a tree full of these bitter pills, apparently with great relish! When I got about 50 yards from the tree, they took off almost as one and retreated to some tall bare Gum trees about 100 yards away. I eased the car to within about 30 yards of the cedar, and waited. In about 5 minutes they began to return to the food and soon, ignoring me, they were again swarming the tree. These birds are beautifully colored with their warm brown, light yellow, and darker yellow-tipped tail and red wing coverts. Their dark black face masks give them a distinguished and elegant look. I think these are one of our most beautiful birds. They are somewhat mysterious and their appearances are always brief and magical to me, then they are usually quickly off to their next adventure---not to be seen for awhile. I always feel blessed to see them, especially in a wild, natural setting such as this with the opportunity to photograph them.

They are voracious eaters and can strip a tree like this in a few hours. If you know where a red cedar is located, watch it this time of year and if it is fruited, you can bet a flock of these masked raiders will find it. A great spot to see this feeding frenzy is along the banks of the Pamlico sound inside Goose Creek State Park in Beaufort County. There are many red cedars there--go between late Dec. and early March. There were a few other species there Sunday trying to compete for the berries, but were just outmanned! A lone mockingbird tried to scare the Bandits off, but they just ignored her. I watched the action and took pictures for about an hour. Driving home, I was grateful for having shared with the Bandits another neat experience in the Field. SCROLL DOWN FOR PIX. The last few at bottom are other species competing for the same food.