An Oak huge tree died suddenly in my yard here in Fuquay-Varina N.C. a couple weeks ago. Since then, there’s been a huge increase of birds fluttering in its boughs searching for bugs. From Woodpeckers to Wrens, Gnatcatchers and Nuthatches, it’s been interesting to observe a variety of species moving in and out of the tree.
Today brought a family of Great Crested Flycatchers like
this one which I photographed as he “posed” for a quick shot in the
morning sun.
Hi, Bill Jackson here,
travel and nature photographer in the Raleigh-Durham area. I have been
busy exploring some beautiful places in North Carolina since my recent
relocation from Puerto Rico.
This particular photo was taken on the west side of Shackleford Banks
just before sunset. Since the plumage was more textured than I would
expect, I consulted with a friend that knows a lot about birds, and she
indicated that it appears to be a Ring Billed
Gull or maybe a Laughing Gull that may be coming out of its breeding
plumage. She wasn’t 100% certain as species of gulls are sometimes
difficult to specify, and there is the possibility that this bird
resulted from cross-breeding since the gulls have been
known to do that. Certainly news to me and happy to have had the
assistance of someone that knows a lot more than me!
Be sure to check out my site for more bird, wildlife, and travel photos at
www.BillJacksonImages.com. You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram.
On my way down the path to my parked car at Jordan
Lake in New Hill NC, I spotted a couple of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers flying
erratically into the branch of an Oak tree. Upon closer inspection
with my zoom lens, there appeared a young one among the leaves who was
receiving bug snacks from mom and dad. He hardly made a peep and I
might have missed him but for the fact that he fluffed out his feathers
so quickly, that the brief movement caught my eye. 🌿 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are carnivores and they always seem to on the hunt for tasty bugs. Their
diet is based on insects, spiders (nice!) and small invertebrates, yet,
despite its name, the Blue-gray gnatcatcher rarely eats gnats! I think maybe they should be renamed to “Blue-gray Nopecatchers” lol!
Since Cowbirds are known for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds, the question is how does a Cowbird learn how to be a Cowbird instead of a Warbler, Gnatcatcher, or Blackbird host? Researchers at the University of Illinois observed that the Cowbirds mother actually remained in the host birds territory and could hear the cries of her offspring. In response to hearing the begging cries of the baby cowbird, the females responded, not by feeding it, but by calling to it. The researchers think that this behavior may help the cowbird fledglings to eventually find other adult cowbirds that are vocalizing, as they fly from feeding areas to roosting areas at dusk each day. Nature is endlessly surprising! Photo by Sally Adams Siko Canon 5DS Harris Lake Park, New Hill North Carolina
Cowbirds are well known to lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving the young to be raised by other species. So how do Cowbird chicks avoid imprinting on their host families of Gnatcatchers, Warblers or Blackbirds yet still learn how to be a Cowbird?
A study by the University of Illinois was launched to answer this question. Researchers tracked juvenile cowbirds that were being raised by Prothonotary warblers. They’ve discovered that, at around 30 days old, cowbird fledglings started to leave the warblers’ territory at dusk to roost alone. They would then return the following morning to be fed by their foster parents. For reasons that aren’t yet clear, these nocturnal departures seem to prevent the young cowbirds from imprinting on their host parents.
Interesting info for sure! But how exactly do Cowbirds learn how to be Cowbirds and not pick up on the habits of their host families?
I’ll post more on that question tomorrow… Photo by @sally_siko of Birdwatching NC Canon 5DS
While walking at the top of Jordan Lake dam in New Hill, N.C., a Great Blue Heron glided over the service road just a few feet in front of me. He was so close that I could hear the wind breezing a soft whoosh through his feathers. With a wingspan reaching nearly 6ft, they’re quite a sight in the air and they can cruise at about 25mph while in flight.
A lovely female Purple Martin surveys her kingdom from high atop her perch at Yates Mill Park in Raleigh, N.C. Getting purple martins to accept a new martin house can be challenging. Sometimes several years may pass before you may reach the goal of attracting the desired residents. Or maybe you might succeed the first day the house is up! Birds. Ya, they’re like that, lol! Here’s an idea that may help. Don’t put your martin house up until four to six weeks after the first purple martins arrive. Or if it’s already in place, keep the holes plugged until then, to exclude starlings and sparrows. The goal is that you’re trying to attract young purple martins who are still open to the idea of raising their families someplace new.
A fierce looking male Purple Martin giving me the alpha glare while birding at Yates Mill Park in Raleigh, NC. It’s neat that these birds migrate so far south for the winter and return every spring to same breeding location year after year. Makes me wonder if there’s a record out there for the longest generation of Purple Martens using a particular nesting spot in the US. Purple Martins are fascinating little birds. Long distance migration is par for the course and before too long, they’ll leave N.C. to head south for tropical destinations such as like Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. In late summer, they’ll gather in huge roosts in preparation for their fall migration. One of the best places to view this spectacle is in Manns Harbor, North Carolina, on the OBX, where an estimated 100,000 birds – arriving from hundreds of miles away – to rest underneath the Umstead Bridge.
Today I went birding at the Carroll Howard Johnson environmental park in Fuquay Varina. This local patch has been reaching hot spot birding status lately so I thought I’d make the trip to check it out for myself.
I arrived at about 7:15 am and set out on the trail. My goal was to reach the open field in the middle of the park. Upon reaching the clearing, I was greeted by the sounds of birds singing and the fluttering of wings. The first bird I observed was a cheerful Carolina Wren preening himself on a branch. After watching him for a few minutes, I headed down the trail into the woods. Here I found an Oven-bird and a black-and-white Warbler.
Continuing on the path I also found a summer Tanager sneaking through the leaves of the canopy above. What a handsome bird! I was pleased to also catch a glimpse of his mate too.
Once the fog lifted and the sun came out, the heat became a little bit too much so, I decided to head back up to the parking lot. As I was leaving, I caught a glimpse of a eastern-wood- Peewee high up in a tree overlooking the field.
Driving home, I decided that that would not be my last trip to this interesting little park. Going forward, I plan to post more pictures from future trips so stay tuned for more!
Bird watching tours, trips, adventures and birder news in North Carolina and beyond
