I took a quick walk this AM at 715 along north Wilson, listening to many Black-capped Chickadees, American Robins, White-throated Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, observing a Mallard on the trail (then in the water), Canada Geese, a pair of Common Mergansers, and one PIED-BILLED GREBE who arrived a few days ago.
I saw the head of one Great Blue Heron (GBHE) apparently incubating on the big snag, then spotted the mate fishing next to the berm. I stopped to watch as the fisher had caught a bright white fish, probably 5-6 in long, but oddly didn't turn it and gulp it, but dropped it back in the water. I thought maybe it was either not a fish or a bad-tasting one, but then the bird deliberately stuck its head into the water and 'fished' it out again (apparently the same one, and already dead). It did this a couple of times before finally consuming it. Seemed like the show was over, so I moved on 100' but turned back just as i approached the rise and noticed a flight of 4 GBHEs arriving over the pond. That made the fisher fly up to the nest and the flock of 4 wheeled around and 3 alit on various branches while the 4th continued to wheel (probably no room to land!). The nest bird rose up to help in the defense, so I had a nice view of 5 big birds arrayed on the snag tree for about 20 secs before the interlopers got the hint and flew off together. Though after I walked to the platform and was returning I saw a third bird getting 'franked' at by what I assume was the nest male. So a busy heron day. Also heard a NORTHERN FLICKER 'flicking' and Tufted Titmouse pealing. Before I left home this morning (4 mi N of SSW), I also heard the characteristic knock then the cat-like whine of a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, though I saw one at home a couple days back for my first of year. ______________________ Chris Pelkie Research Analyst Bioacoustics Research Program Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, NY 14850 -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
