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.
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.
RSS Feed