December 4, 2009

Today marked the first day of our eBird site survey for the North Branch Nature Center property. The eBird site survey will be performed weekly and data will be entered into eBird for use by scientists (learn more about the eBird site survey). We did turn up a bird that we rarely see on the property: a lone Carolina Wren was seen skulking around in a wet, brushy area near the river. Other noteworthy birds include American Tree Sparrow.

November 30, 2009

Although it wasn't the first time this season that American Tree Sparrows made an appearance, there were at least a half dozen hanging around the parking lot and bird feeders this morning. The photo of the individual to the right (taken at NBNC last year) shows some of the tell tale field marks for this winter visitor, including the rufous crown, gray face, bicolored bill, and white wing bar. If seen from the front, a dark spot would be visible in the center of the breast. Photo by Larry Clarfeld.

November 10, 2009

With the change of seasons, we come to expect a new set of birds and can sometimes anxiously await their arrival. Well the wait for the Northern Shrike ended today as Chip spotted one perched prominently atop a Cedar tree in the parking lot. It flew off across the fields before the rest of the NBNC staff got to see it, so we're back to waiting again for the next appearance!

November 2, 2009

With the sun shining this afternoon, NBNC staff salvaged one of the last opportunities to have lunch outside (without the aide of winter clothes). We were delighted to hear the winnie of an American Robin, which was hanging around the bird feeder. We were also privileged to hear one of our resident Blue Jays imitating the call of a Broad-winged Hawk. They do this fairly regularly here, and are quite convincing (we always look up when we hear it).

The true surprise of the day was a Red Admiral, sunning itself on a post in the field. It held its wings perpendicular to the sun in an effort to absorb the most possible heat. And so we pose the same question we did on October 19: Will this be the last butterfly of the season? Only time will tell.

October 27, 2009

During a school program today, there was a lot of wildlife activity in the beaver ponds. After the program, our staff took a short hike up to the pond to try to relocate a shorebird seen earlier. Although we were not able to relocate the shorebird, we did watch a Great Blue Heron catch and consume a small rodent which was scurrying along the dam!

October 19, 2009

Despite a very frosty morning, the bright sunshine made it bearable for NBNC staff to eat lunch outside! Apparently, it was warm enough for a Red Admiral butterfly to land near the butterfly garden and sun itself on some wood chips. Will this be the last butterfly of the season? A short hike also turned up some interesting birds, including Eastern Phoebe, Savannah Sparrow, and 13 Mallards in the beaver pond! Also, no less than seven Painted Turtles were seen basking.

October 13, 2009

Winter gave us a sneak preview today, with a fine coating of snow which continued falling into the morning. In recognition of the changing seasons, our bird feeder is back up. Perhaps this is what attracted a group of about a dozen Common Grackles, the first flock that we have seen here in a number of weeks. Other timely news includes the flowering of the Witch Hazel in the parking lot, which actually began to flower two weeks ago.