One of six species of warbler seen, a Prairie Warblers gleans from a willow in the Wetlands.

For the birder, I saw 6 species of warbler this morning including Common Yellowthroat, Prairie Warbler, Black & White Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Redstart, and topped it off with White-eyed Vireo (not a warbler).

There were several individuals from each species and they were all very hungry, barely paying attention to me just below them in the trees.

And for the herper, or herpetologist…

What's that on the path ahead?

Apparently the thirty degree difference in temps from yesterday has prompted this Northern Water Snake to hit the pavement and head for high ground. I have a feeling that it’ll be back in a few days when it warms up again.

Making haste for the warmth of the rocks just a dozen or so yards away (9/16/11).

What more could one ask for, a cool day with no chance for a sun burn, a small group of warblers moving through, and a big fat water snake crossing the path in front of you.

However, Ranger Kristin and I were able to pick out American Redstart, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, and at least one Eastern Wood-pewee in the windswept trees on Saturday (8/28/11). There were probably other migrants in the mix but it can be difficult to see small birds like warblers with winds as strong as we had blowing through here most of Saturday.

Maybe next time.

The female Belted Kingfisher has once again made herself scarce, presumably sitting on eggs. I briefly saw the male on Friday, 23 April.

Black Locust.

Black Locust is in bloom as is Old Man’s Beard (not the guy on the left, but the tree, Fringetree). The former can be seen on the opposite side of the water from the Wetlands Overlook and from Flying Birds (bird feeders).

A stand of Black Locust can be seen beyond the bird feeders and young pines in Catch the Wind.

Fringetree grows along the path as you leave Catch the Wind heading towards the Lemur House and across from the Red Wolf Exhibit.

Fringetree is an understory shrub or small tree in our area.

Also called Old Man's Beard, this small tree is currently showing its fringe-like flowers.

Red Clover and Buttercup are in bloom and while some of the flowers are open, most of the daisies in Catch the Wind are still waiting for that to happen. In just a few days Catch the Wind will be white with daisies (I know it’s tempting to pick the flowers, but please leave them for all to appreciate).

Red Clover is a favorite of many butterflies.

Buttercup with it's shiny petals.

Daisies are about to burst open throughout Catch the Wind.

Lotus peaks in June. It’ll be well into May before this watery plant sets forth its first flowers.

The Lotus is obvious but not yet in flower in the Wetlands.

Mahonia is showing the fruits of its winter blooms.

Mahonia is showing berries where, over the fall and winter, there were spikes of yellow flowers.

This is just the beginning, so come on out to see for yourself what birds are singing and what’s blooming in Catch the Wind and Explore the Wild. I’ll be there, for sure.

Traditionally, the third week in September sees a push of migrating hawks through the region when the winds are from the north. More often than not, the winds were from the north during the third and fourth weeks in September. Unfortunately for those of us who like to watch hawks and also reside in the piedmont, most migrating hawks move along the ridges in the western part of the Carolinas. On 20 September, one observation site in the mountains saw over 3,000 hawks pass by on their way south with another 6,000 or so the following day, most of those being Broad-winged Hawks.

Here at the Museum the numbers were not quite as impressive. However, three Bald Eagles were observed during the period. An adult and a sub-adult were seen soaring overhead, slowly moving in a westerly direction on the 19th of September. Another adult Bald Eagle was seen in a glide to the southwest on 24 September. Besides the eagles, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, a Red-tailed Hawk and several Red-shouldered Hawks (our local Red-shouldereds) were seen on the 19th of September. The eagle in the image at left is not one of the birds that flew over, but it’s a good illustration of what a sub-adult Bald Eagle looks like.

I’ve not seen a Green Heron in the Wetlands since the first two weeks of September. Have they moved on? A Great Blue Heron is still making frequent visits to the area.

Chimney Swifts continue to forage above the Wetlands. They’re often quite high so you have to strain a bit to see them, or you can use binoculars (recommended, but not required, for wildlife observation on the Explore the Wild/Catch the Wind Loop).

I saw three Ruby-throated Hummingbirds during the period. Neither was at the feeders in Catch the Wind. I think that they were migrants.

The local Belted Kingfisher is showing up in the Wetlands daily and staying longer. Its visits had been sporadic during the summer, but now she seems to be settling in for the duration.

A handful of Northern Flickers and a Red-headed Woodpecker were seen on the 24th of September.

Twenty or so Fish Crows were observed flying off to the west on 18 September.

Two House Wrens were seen during the period, flitting about in the underbrush that lines the Explore the Wild/Catch the Wind Loop. These birds were probably locals, one was a juvenile.

Several White-eyed Vireos were seen on September 24th & 28th as were a Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart, and Common Yellowthroat, with a Wilson’s Warbler making an appearance on the 28th of the month only. Also seen on the 24th were a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a Scarlet Tanager.

Green Herons are a daily sight in the Wetlands. There are at least two present at any given time. They’re doing well in the Wetlands, feeding on frogs, tadpoles, fish, and even dragonflies that fly too close to these stealthy and agile hunters. Another member of the heron family was also seen during the first half of September, a Great Egret. I saw one flying overhead coming from the direction of the Wetlands. I don’t know if this bird actually stopped in for a visit or was just inspecting the Wetlands from the air while en route to another location; I first caught sight of it as it headed east over the Ornithopter.

An immature female Cooper’s Hawk blasted by me at eye-level as I stood next to the Ornithopter. It was probably one of the birds that fledged here this summer.

The Museum’s Red-shouldered Hawks were out for a Sunday afternoon family soar on the 7th of September. Two adults and two immature birds were soaring over Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind, drifting off to the south while, in typical red-shoulder fashion, making as much noise as possible.

As far as migrant songbirds, I heard a White-eyed Vireo down in the Wetlands and saw a Common Yellowthroat. As of this writing there were still hummingbirds coming to the feeders in Catch the Wind, but nothing yet from the west (see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Explore the Wild Journal, August 16-31).