Not long after this tranquil scene the egret flew off over the pines to the north.

GBH-2 on a familiar perch, a Loblolly Pine waiting for GBH-1 to go to sleep.

The bounty of fish is gone. The shiners that once lay within easy reach of all who munch fish in our little Wetlands have either dispersed or been dispatched. No more can the egret and herons pick off shiners at their leisure at the edge of the Wetlands. They now have to work for every fish, tadpole, frog, or crayfish that they catch, which is probably why egret and heron are nowhere to be seen.

It’s been just about a week since I’ve seen the egret in the above photo, longer since the last time I laid eyes on GBH-2, our visiting blue heron.

Even the number of mergansers is down. In fact, I saw no mergansers this morning as I made my rounds in Explore the Wild (2/7/12). The Wetlands is very quiet.

Now that I think about it, it wasn’t all that quiet out there this morning. The Red-shouldered Hawks were up soaring, stooping, calling out and just plain showing off for their potential mates. Very noisy, they are.

Cardinals were singing, the Eastern Phoebe was vigorously calling out to any females in the area (I don’t think there’s any other Phoebes on site though), and the bluebirds have been seen investigating their nest boxes. Even the titmice and nuthatches are vocalizing.

I didn’t hear any frogs (peepers) though. The cold nights must have put them back in their places.

Have a good one!

Red-shouldered Hawk in Explore the Wild.

People who are not familiar with the species often look at me with confused eyes when I tell them that the hawk perched in the trees before them in the swamp here at the Museum is a Red-shouldered Hawk. Why would they name this hawk “red-shouldered,” and where are the red shoulders?

A Red-tailed Hawk has a brick-red tail. That name makes sense. The Red-shouldered Hawk (RSHA) has a reddish belly and chest. Why not name the hawk Red-bellied, or Red-breasted Hawk? Even the Latin name for this hawk doesn’t give a clue as to why it’s named red-shouldered, Buteo lineatus means lined or striped hawk.

RSHAs have a reddish patch of feathers, which comprise most of the secondary upper wing coverts, that stretch from the actual shoulder of the wing to the wrist. The red “shoulder” is not always visible on perched birds.

The red patch is not always obvious when the bird is perched (same bird as above).

It’s a different story when the birds take flight or have their wings stretched out to preen, or when dealing with prey.

The reddish colored upper wing coverts (so-called shoulder) are obvious in flight (photo - 10/09).

This RSHA has just dropped in on a frog in the Wetlands. Note the red wing patches (photo - 4/10).

So, now you know why the Red-shouldered Hawk is called a “Red-shouldered” Hawk. But wait, what are secondary wing coverts?

Coverts are relatively small feathers that overlap and cover the bases of the larger flight feathers on a bird’s wing, the primaries and secondaries. The coverts that cover the bases of the primary feathers are called primary coverts. You can probably guess what the coverts that cover the bases of the secondaries are, that’s right, secondary coverts.

There are coverts on both upper and lower surfaces of the wing to cover both sides of the flight feather bases. The coverts are further divided into groups as the greater primary covers, median primary coverts, lesser primary coverts, marginal primary coverts…there are also coverts that cover the bases of the tail feathers…their purpose is to create a continuous, smooth surface across the wing, or tail, which aids considerably in the act of flying, less drag.

The first ice of the season on the Wetlands.

The ice will soon be history, all gone. I, or we, know that the ice will be gone within a day or two since the TV, internet, and radio tells us these things ahead of time. But for some of the creatures that live in and depend on the Wetlands for food, ice is not a good thing and it can’t be predicted when it will go away. The kingfisher who needs to dive into water to catch fish, the heron, egret, mergansers, and others don’t know when the ice will melt. Should they move on, or wait it out?

The birds can afford to hang out for a few days to see what will happen, after all, they have wings and can move to bigger water if things don’t improve. They can be at Falls Lake in minutes and there are many other local ponds that are a bit deeper than our Wetlands and which may not freeze as quickly.

A frozen shiner.

The photos that you see here were taken on January 4th and show some of the birds who decided to stick it out long enough to see if the water would open up for them.

But first, some of the shiners which have been huddled up in a shallow corner of the Wetlands for nearly a month now did not fare well. However, most of them, the ones not yet eaten by the birds that you see in the photos, are still splashing around in the water and have actually kept a small bit of water open because of their thrashing about.

The Great Egret (below) is probably the same bird seen in the Wetlands on the 22nd of December (it was also seen on the 24th).

The new addition to the Wetlands, a Great Egret, rests while the ice melts.

This egret is more people tolerant than its larger relative, the Great Blue Heron, and allows for a closer approach.

A closer look at our new friend.

Kingfisher and GBH decide to stay and see what happens.

The hawk looks over its shoulder at some, unheard by me, noise coming from behind.

One of the local Red-shouldered Hawks has resumed its hunting strategy of sitting quietly in the willows watching for the slightest movement to pounce on any unsuspecting frog, tadpole, shrew, or rat.

Despite the cold, it was a good day to be outside.

By the way, it may reach sixty degrees by the end of the week! Are you going to be sitting inside reading blogs about nature, or outside experiencing some of the things those blogs speak about?

Eastern Painted Turtles, and Yellow-bellied Sliders (shown here) were out in numbers basking, including "Chip." Chip's the one missing part of her shell. That's her favorite perch.

The first Common Snapping Turtles of the season were spotted yesterday as well.

Two snappers were seen yesterday feeling their way around the Wetlands after their long slumber.

The American Toad that I heard in Catch the Wind last Thursday (3/3/11) was busy in the U-shaped pond next to the Ornithopter.

Strings of eggs were deposited in the pond next to the Ornithopter in Catch the Wind (3/17/11).

And, several times during the past week or so I’ve witnessed the Red-shouldered Hawks mating.

After a brief mating, both hawks shake out their feathers and take off.

There’s a lot of aerial display, loud screeching and general showing off that leads up to the actual mating, but copulation last only a few seconds, and then it’s back to showing off again.

There were a few Red-tailed Hawks about too.

As I’ve often said in this journal, I see Red-tailed Hawks at least once a week during winter here at the Museum but there’s a period during the summer when I may not see them at all. Part of the reason for their summertime leaves of absence may be the Red-shouldered Hawks.

When the red-shoulders have breeding-season hormones flowing through their bodies, the larger redtails have to be moved along. The redtails are apparently perceived as a threat to the red-shoulders’ successful nesting. Although I’ve witnessed these rousts of the redtails by the smaller red-shoulders many times in the past, my attempts at getting images of a redtail roust have been less than stellar.

The following sequence was shot by Animal Keeper Sarah the same day as the Great Backyard Bird Count (2/18) when there were six Red-shouldered hawks aloft at one time.

This is a Red-tailed Hawk.

This is a Red-shouldered Hawk, high above the redtail.

The red-shoulder turns,

tucks, and...

.

.

.

.

.

The redtail (lower left) leaves the scene while the red-shoulder glides off to return to what it had been doing, soaring on the wind.

Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout!

Two Pine Siskins share the feeder with two American Goldfinches on Saturday, 19 February (the siskins are the two middle birds).

The requirements for participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count are a willingness to count birds in your backyard, favorite state park, or other location, and a willingness to write down what you see and submit it to the above mentioned project managers.

Often difficult to see in both in life and this picture is the Brown Creeper. Creepers cling to the sides of trees woodpecker-style, climbing up the trunks and branches to seek out insects and other invertebrates to eat (2/20/11).

I conducted the count by myself on Friday the 18th of February here at the Museum in Explore the Wild, the Dinosaur Trail, and Catch the Wind. Ranger Kristin counted with me the following day, and took on the job of counting by herself on the 21st, the final day of the four day count period. Other duties called both of us away on Sunday, the 20th of February.

This Red-shouldered Hawk (in its second year of life-SY) is one of 6 seen soaring over the Wetlands during the Great Backyard Bird Count (2/18/11).

We saw two species which can be a challenge to observe on any winter’s day, but on the count day they were a special surprise, Pine Siskin and Brown Creeper, both new birds for Kristin. And, on Saturday the 18th there were as many a six Red-shouldered Hawks soaring above the Wetlands at one time.

The same day, I saw both male and female Cooper’s Hawks soaring together. After a brief courtship display the male took off, presumably, to look for some of Durham’s downtown pigeons, while the female headed off to the pines just north of the Wetlands. It looks as though there’ll be another nest in our midst again this year.

This male Northern Cardinal belts out its song from a perch along the Dinosaur Trail. Common, but beautiful to both see and hear.

We averaged 33.3 bird species for the period (34 birds the day I counted alone, 36 the day of the joint count, and 30 birds when Kristin soloed). Not bad totals for a habitat within Durham’s city limits.

It's been difficult to get good images of our resident female Belted Kingfisher. She doesn't allow a close approach. With most of the water frozen, she's had to choose between perching close to the shore (where there's open water) and not eating. Click!

One of our Great Blue Herons looks down at the frozen water...

and decides to move on.

A Red-shouldered Hawk flies in to land on a willow branch to hunt for frogs.

The hawk immediately begins the search for movement in the grass and water below.

Apparently nothing of interest here, time to search elswhere.

A Hermit Thrush forages in the leaf liter below the Wetland's willows.

With the thaw comes the mergansers. This Hooded Merganser rests between fishing and preening.

Last week a merganser showed up that was not quite into its full adult male plumage. Note the dull crest, grayish sides and breast, and not-quite golden eye.

After leaving the Wetlands, the Red-shouldered Hawk retreated to the swamp above the Lemur House where a Blue Jay cautiously watched it hunt (on right, behind branch).

The Northern Mockingbird that resides in Catch the Wind keeps a look-out for other berry eating birds while perched atop its favorite Red Cedar.

Take a walk. It’s good for you.

The mockingbird, playing with fire.

About 11 AM on Wednesday (1/5/11) Facilities Tech, Al Gustafson spotted a Northern Mockingbird harassing a Barred Owl in a small pine tree 30 feet or so from the east entrance to the Farm Yard.

Al radioed me, and I was able to get a dozen or more photos of the bird. And, many Museum visitors were able to get close looks at a bird that most folks would have passed by unseen. Thanks Al.

Barred Owls are quite common in our area, even within Durham’s city limits. They are the most often encountered owl. Locally, I see more Barred Owls than any other species of owl.

The owl. Seemingly unconcerned with the mockingbird, or the people staring at it, this owl was, however, listening to and watching every move that the bird, and we humans, made.

As it perched quietly in the tree, the owl appeared to be “sleepy,” but it was both watching and listening the whole time that I was there. It would ever so slowly turn its head at any sound or movement, or slightly open its squinting eyes. At one point something beyond my sight or hearing apparently startled the bird and it immediately flew off to another perch higher up in the trees.

The owl changed perches several times throughout the day.

It was a good day for seeing raptors. Later that day I saw both a Red-shouldered Hawk hunt from a perch in a tree in the swamp above the Lemur House, and a Cooper’s Hawk nearly snatch a songbird out of the air.

This Red-shouldered Hawk intently, and patiently, peers down for any movement in the swamp below.

A good day in the “Wild!”

The still, quiet, and mostly frozen Wetlands.

Some of the local wildlife are taking advantage of the frozen water to hike across the Wetlands instead of around it on their nightly foraging runs (tracks from top right to bottom left).

The mushy track of a rear foot reveals the nocturnal wanderings of a raccoon on the ice of the Wetlands.

Raccoons make nightly sorties around the Wetlands in search of food, which can be anything from persimmons to tadpoles, or a raid on the trash receptacles along the paths of the Museum (the trash bins are emptied each day before closing so the pickings are slim there).

Raccoons are not the only animals roaming Explore the Wild. The tracks below were left in the snow a few days after the raccoon tracks appeared.

What beast left these tracks?

The question in the caption above is a trick question. It was one of the bears in the Black Bear Enclosure that laid down those tracks.

Both the front (right) and rear feet are quite clear in this close view of the bear tracks.

The left foot of a female human after walking through a wet spot on the path.

All types of animals were out and about in the cold air of the past several days leading to this, the second day of winter.

Despite the cold, there were even a few people who braved the cold to come out hiking through the outdoor exhibits. The bears, wolves and lemurs are there regardless of the weather, although the lemurs are snug behind glass. All are worth the trek. But, if you enjoy experiencing the out-of-doors in relative solitude, this is an excellent time to visit Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind.

The birds that frequent the woods along the trails of Explore the Wild are easier to locate when its cold outside as they pick up their foraging routine. The very common Yellow-rumped Warblers are busily scoffing up the wax myrtle berries, indifferent to human passersby.

A Red-shouldered Hawk surveys the woods for a meal.

The Red Shouldered Hawk still hunts among the trees for small birds, mammals, and even frogs at this time of year. With no leaves on the trees it’s often easy to spot them as they sit quietly peering down at what’s below them.

On the other hand, the local Great Blue Heron, doesn’t seem to be doing much hunting, at least not here at the Museum. There have actually been two blue herons coming in to roost in the Wetlands, but I haven’t seen either of them actively hunting. I hope that they’re finding food elsewhere.

One of the two Great Blue Herons comes in to rest on its favorite perch, a boulder in the Wetlands.

The heron frequently sits atop this boulder, apparently waiting for the ice to melt.

As mentioned before, passerines are often easier to locate during cold weather as they scramble to find sustenance. They are often more concerned with finding food than being food, so they’re less wary of you watching them.

A Hermit Thrush stares back over its shoulder at another Hermit Thrush (out of view) which was trying to chase the young bird off its claim.

Hermit Thrushes stake out winter feeding areas, usually near a source of berries, and can often be found in the same location with some consistency. The one pictured above looks to be a young bird (HY) and was in the process of being driven off one of those feeding areas by another of its kind.

There is always something going on out in Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind, so come on out and see what you can find!

Turkey Vultures are a daily sight as they soar, dip and bank across the Museum’s airspace.

Note the small head, gray flight feathers, and rather long tail on this Turkey Vulture sailing over the Museum.

The slightly smaller Black Vulture, while seen at least once a week here at the Museum, is not as frequently encountered as the Turkey Vulture.

A short tail, small head, and white or gray primaries (the feathers at the tip of the wings) are trademarks of the Black Vulture. Black Vultures flap their wings more often, and more rapidly, than do their larger relatives, Turkey Vultures.

Hardly a day passes without seeing or hearing a Red-shouldered Hawk at the Museum. They are most often encountered while they’re perched in the woods silently watching below for prey.

A Red-shouldered Hawk sits quietly in the swamp between Catch the Wind and Explore the Wild.

Red-tailed Hawks are seen above at least once a week in winter, but there is a two month period during summer when they may not be seen at all. Whenever they do show up, a Red-shouldered Hawk is often there to greet and escort them out of the airspace.

Although larger and more powerful than Red-shouldered Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks are often chased out of the Museum's airspace by the smaller hawk.

This Cooper's Hawk was seen January 28th hunting over Catch the Wind.

Copper’s Hawks have successfully nested here at the Museum for the past two years. I see one of these brazen, bushwhacking, aerial hunters nearly every week of the year, certainly every month. Last week was a double; I saw one (most likely the same hawk) on two different days. Each time, the hawk was hunting from above, settling down into the pines north of the Lemur House.

On February 3rd, a tap-tap-tap-taping sound high in a Loblolly Pine in Catch the Wind signaled the workings of a Brown-headed Nuthatch excavating a nest hole. A pair of these tiny pine dwelling nuthatches had dug two holes in a pine not fifty feet from this location last year, only to give it up (or lose it) to a pair of Carolina Chickadees several weeks later.

One nuthatch quickly exits the hole as the other waits to inspect his handywork.

This pair seems to be a bit ahead of themselves. Last year’s nuthatches were first spotted on February 20 as they had just begun excavation. From the apparent depth of the current hole it appears as though they’ve been working on this one for several days, if not more.

I’ll keep you posted on their progress.