Tag Archives: Cooper’s Hawk

Who’s Nesting

By Greg Dodge, Ranger | Published: June 15, 2009

A Cooper’s Hawk was seen carrying prey on the 7th of June. The hawk appeared to be a female and was flying in the direction of the pines which surround the Ellerbee Creek Railway tracks near the train tunnel. This is the area in which Cooper’s Hawks nested last year. The fact that this bird [...]

Posted in Birds, Summer | Also tagged Belted Kingfisher, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Pine Warbler, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Song Sparrow, Tufted Titmice | Leave a comment

Cooper’s Hawks and a Stop-over Kingbird

By Greg Dodge, Ranger | Published: May 15, 2009

Cooper’s Hawks are nesting nearby but I’ve not found a nest. Red-shouldered Hawks are a daily sight overhead around the Explore the Wild/Catch the Wind loop. An Eastern Kingbird (pictured) and a Common Yellowthroat were seen or heard for the first time this season on the first day of May.

Posted in Birds, Spring | Also tagged Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Kingbird, Red-shouldered Hawk | Leave a comment

Nuthatch Landlords? Hollies under Assault?

By Greg Dodge, Ranger | Published: March 15, 2009

There are still two pairs of Hooded Mergansers present in the Wetlands. There is one pair of Canada Geese present. Red-tailed Hawks continue to be seen daily and Cooper’s Hawks have been noticed flying and perching in the vicinity of the previous year’s nest site. And, as mentioned above, Red-shouldered Hawks are once again showing [...]

Posted in Birds, Spring | Also tagged American Crow, American Robin, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Canada Geese, Carolina Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Phoebe, Fish Crow, Hooded Merganser, nest excavation, Pine Siskin, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-winged Blackbird | Leave a comment

The Urge to Nest, Martins on the Way

By Greg Dodge, Ranger | Published: February 15, 2009

A Canada Goose was observed moving nesting material around on the small island in front of the Wetlands Overlook. The bird was apparently just going through the motions spurred on by the warm weather. The goose momentarily shuffled a few pieces of grass and leaves about on the island, then swam off to feed. Thinking [...]

Posted in Birds, Winter | Also tagged Bald Eagle, Canada Goose, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Towhee, House Finch, Osprey, Phoebe nest, Purple Martin, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse | Leave a comment

A Harrier, an Owl, and a Big Fish

By Greg Dodge, Ranger | Published: November 30, 2008

Hooded Merganser numbers in the Wetlands have fluctuated between 4 and 11 birds. The males can sometimes be seen bobbing their heads, rearing up in the water and, with their bills pointed skyward, emitting a low-pitched snore-like staccato. They’re vying for the attention of the females. It often seems that all of the males are [...]

Posted in Birds, Fall | Also tagged Barred Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Brown Creeper, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Cedar Waxwing, Chipping Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, Dark-eyed Junco, Golden Shiner, Hermit Thrush, Hooded Merganser, Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Northern Harrier, Pine Warbler, Red-tailed Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-throated Sparrow | Leave a comment

Blue Jays Hoard, Butter-Butts Swarm

By Greg Dodge, Ranger | Published: October 31, 2008

Mallards are back in the Wetlands. Three Mutt Ducks (Mallard x Domestic) and eight or so “normal” Mallards have been feeding and resting in the quiet water and under the Willow Trees. Canada Geese are paying regular visits to the Wetlands. For nearly a week after the passage of the cold front that moved through [...]

Posted in Birds, Fall | Also tagged American Goldfinch, Black Vulture, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Blue Jay, Butter-Butt, caching acorns, caching nuts, Canada Geese, Chipping Sparrow, Double-crested Cormorant, Field Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Magnolia Warbler, Mallard, Palm Warbler, Pine Warbler, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-winged Blackbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Song Sparrow, Turkey Vultures, White-throated Sparrow, Winter Wren, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers | Leave a comment

Wood Ducks Drop in for Visit

By Greg Dodge, Ranger | Published: September 15, 2008

A pair of Wood Ducks graced the Wetlands with their presence during the period. They were on the far side of the water near the willows. As I’ve said before, you never know what’s going to come swimming out of the willows. I’ve caught an occasional glimpse of at least one Wood Duck during the [...]

Posted in Birds, Fall | Also tagged Common Yellowthroat, Great Egret, Green Heron, Red-shouldered Hawk, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Wood Duck | Leave a comment

Look Up!

By Greg Dodge, Ranger | Published: July 15, 2008

Look up! I see Chimney Swifts hawking insects above the Explore the Wild/Catch the Wind loop every day. The number of swifts will no doubt increase as more young of the year leave their nests and join in on these foraging flights. If you’re not familiar with Chimney Swifts, they’re the small, acrobatic, black birds [...]

Posted in Birds, Summer | Also tagged Brown-headed Nuthatch, Chimney Swift, White-breasted Nuthatch | Leave a comment

Mallard Surprise, Hawks Fledge

By Greg Dodge, Ranger | Published: June 30, 2008

A total surprise was a female Mallard with 7 ducklings in tow. I hadn’t seen a Mallard in the Wetlands for several weeks, other than the always present Mutt Duck (black and white female that’s been hanging around – mallard x domestic duck). On the 25th, both a male and female Mallard (the male molting [...]

Posted in Birds, Summer | Also tagged Brown Snake, ducklings, Green Heron, Hooded Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Killdeer, Mallard, Mutt Duck, Red-shouldered Hawk, shorebird, Wood Thrush | Leave a comment

Greg Dodge is a professional naturalist as well as a writer, videographer and producer of natural history DVDs. His images have been used in various TV productions, museum displays, and corporate videos. Above all, he has a fascination and passion for all things natural.
Stop by and say hello Tuesday thru Saturday in Explore the Wild, Catch the Wind, or on the Dino Trail.

Tags: Brown Snake, Cooper’s Hawk, ducklings, Green Heron, Hooded Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Killdeer, Mallard, Mutt Duck, Red-shouldered Hawk, shorebird, Wood Thrush