Hawks, ducks and shorebirds

Swainson's Hawk

This past week I visited my favorite ponds on the south side. I chose to visit them for several reasons, one of which was that I was hoping to catch sight of some White pelicans I saw there last year.

The Female Swainson's

Right above me

Instead I captured some gorgeous images of a pair of Swainson's Hawks. They have returned for the fifth or sixth year running.  It was fascinating to watch them interact, and at one point even chase off another of their kind, that was intruding on their territory. 

After spending some time listening for songbirds and wandering around the forested edge of the first pond, I meandered over to the larger and second pond.

Killdeer

Killdeer posing

Doing the head-bob

 Here I discovered, that the high pippin sounds I had been hearing, that were driving me wild with curiosity, had been made by this very cooperative Killdeer. The fact that it didn't immediately fly off really made me happy. As you can see I even managed to get several decent images of it.

Pair of Gadwall ducks

Handsome male Gadwall

 But that was not all, there was a pair of Gadwall ducks resting on the edge of the pond not too far from where the Killdeer had been strutting and posing. I was startled by their presence because they did not quack or hiss in alarm like Mallard ducks are wont to do. In fact, if they hadn't moved, I likly wouldn't have seen them. I haven't seen any Gadwall ducks for many years now, so  naturally I was absolutely delighted.

There were some Canada Geese with a spotted sandpiper among them, a common Grackle and Yellow rumped warblers, as well as several Northern Flickers. However, the Hawks, Gadwall Ducks and Killdeer were definitely the highlight of this bird watch trip.

Enjoy,

Susan

 

Charismatic and athletic

Flock of Bohemian Waxwings

The birds have been rather uncooperative in the last little while. They are either perched at the tree tops, or doing a quick flyby, although sometimes in large flocks.  The squirrels on the other hand, are highly visible lately and much more active now that the weather is a bit warmer.

I love watching the antics of squirrels.  Squirrels are so very athletic.  They have to be, at the breakneck speeds they often manage.  They are also charismatic and fun.  If you want a real chuckle, just watch two squirrels chase each other around, and up and down the trunk of a tree for what seems like forever.  I have yet to capture that on camera, but I'm hoping I will some day soon.

Below are some photos of a squirrel running down the trunk of a 50 foot pine at break neck speed.  If you look closely at the first photo, you will see that the squirrel has only one limb in touch with the trunk. In the second photo he is leaping from one broken branch down to the next, like a trapeze artist.  When I looked at this series of photos I immediately got an uneasy sensation in the pit of my stomach.  Good grief, this tiny creature was completely defying gravity with what seemed like total ease.

one limp in contact with tree

A short hop down?

Let's just fly

I don't know why this one was racing down the tree, nor why he immediately jumped to another tree about five feet from the first.  It's possible he saw a hawk or falcon, or maybe an intruder in his territory.  Although squirrels can be aggressive and territorial, they also seem to enjoy just racing up and down a tree, just for fun.

If I walk real slow, I can often surprise these little guys when they finally take a break from their frantic racing around.  Each squirrel seems to react differently when I do.

I think I badly startled the one directly below.

Startled

Uncertain

 The squirrel above is uncertain, his tail is raised in alarm but he still isn't sure if I'm a threat.

I'm outa here

 This squirrel isn't going to hang around to see if I'm a threat, he is going up. While the squirrel below, seems to have decided it has teeth, that I'm in his territory and he'll defend it.

Aggressive

Curious but cautious

Poser

Of the last two squirrels, one was simply curious and watched me watch it, and the last just posed real pretty for several photos before he decided to leave.

Enjoy,
Guni



 

Among the Bohemians

Eating snow

I was determined to get some closer shots of the Bohemian waxwings flocking in my neighborhood this week.  I was also hoping to catch some of their clownish antics in addition to their beautiful coloring.  I spotted them almost immediately in the same location as last time, but this time I followed their flight into a part of the neighborhood I have never been.

I was astonished by the sheer number of mountain ash trees here.  There was at least half a dozen healthy trees, containing an abundance of fruit, within an area containing only three or four yards.  There was also plenty of shelter; places that the birds could escape to in the event of the arrival of a predator.

Waxwing greed

This feeder is mine:)

Bohemian waxwing scarfing it down

Beautiful pose

However these waxwings were not the only creatures enjoying the abundance in this tiny area of the neighborhood.

House sparrow female

Squirrel

The squirrels were chasing each other around this tree.  Unfortunately I didn't capture the action.  Next time perhaps.

Red-breasted nuthatch

The Nuthatches and Blue jays were enjoying the many feeders, that are also about in this same area.  This nuthatch was sneaking up on the feeder at the end of the fence.  He was taking the long route, first clinging to the stucko on the side of the house, then the window frame, before landing on the fence. 

The biggest surprise of the day, however, were the Pine Grosbeaks that I spotted among the Bohemian waxwings.

I only spotted the Pine Grosbeaks, because one of the males was singing a most delightful and unique song.

Two female Pine Grosbeaks

The Pine Grosbeaks were not eating the fruit.  They were after seed and unopened buds at the end of branches, which didn't grow last year.

Pine Grosbeak female

Female nibbling on a seed

The females are dull in their color, a sort of yellow green and gray; a nice camouflage color, but still beautiful.  The male below was very bright red, except for his black wings.  He really stood out against the blue of the sky and the naked branches of the trees.

Pine Grosbeak male

Male Grosbeak taking flight

The Grosbeaks are very shy.  I would have loved to get a closer view and photo.  I'm hoping to see them again soon for another photographic opportunity.

Enjoy,
Susan

The Raven family

Ravens in the tree top

Roughly two years ago I wrote a post about the Raven's nesting very near my home and their four offspring, they had four more offspring last year and I know they are nesting again right now because I have seen both parents collecting nesting materials.  A few weeks ago, I saw the Raven pair in flight with all eight of their offspring.  I recognized the first four only because one of these birds was, and still is so endearingly clumsy.  I didn't get much of a chance to observe the second set of offspring last year, so I know very little about them, aside from the fact that they were occasionally babysat by the older four siblings.  Are you confused yet?

While the parents are busy reconstructing their nest, their eight offspring can occasionally be observed socializing or playing together on the wind, most especially at dawn or dusk.  This past week I watched the oldest four play in the little forest for quite some time.  Aside from the clumsy Raven, one of the other Raven youngsters has a very deep, distinct voice, while the third is very curious, and the fourth somewhat nervous.

Clumsy Raven almost missed the mark

Struggling to right himself

They seemed to enjoy the snow fall and really love the gusting wind.  Apparently they also, enjoy a game of chase the tail of a Magpie occasionally, or playing tag with Blue Jays:) 

Curious Raven-wondering what I'm doing

Nervous Raven takes off at the slightest sound

Two of these older offspring even played at house a little last summer, when they practiced building a nest and protecting territory.

Magpie visits Raven

Raven's playmates

I only wish I could capture a photo of all four of these Ravens together.  I have been watching this Raven family for almost six years now, beginning with the parents when they first paired off.  Many people don't like Ravens, but I find that they are intelligent, playful, curious and quite charming, and I know that they recognize me when they see me. I have seen a Raven pair teach their young how to ride the currents of the wind, I have seen them feed and comfort their young.  I have seen them protecting their young by engaging Hawks and Eagles in the sky above their nests.  How could I not love these birds?

Enjoy,
Susan

Home Sweet Home

                                         Where does the wildlife live?

Pileated Woodpecker home

Pileated Woodpeckers create square holes, unlike most woodpeckers.  Their nesting hole is created the same way, a new one every year.  Although Pileated Woodpeckers typically choose the highest tree in the forest for their nesting site.  The nest hole above was abandoned, although obviously used at some time, perhaps by another woodpecker species, as there is a second hole dug out  inside.

Nuthatch leaving shelter

I was lucky to capture an image of this Red breasted Nuthatch leaving it's shelter this year, an abandoned woodpecker nest hole.

Muskrat entering it's den

Last spring I captured many images of a Muskrat in a local pond.  I learned that the Muskrat is primarily nocturnal and lives in a den it digs out at the edge of a pond.  The den will have several entrance/ escape tunnels when the Muskrat is done.   In the photo above the Muskrat is heading for it's den, as it was uncomfortable with my presence.

Dug-out colony

Last fall I discovered this colony of homes of simple dugouts around a single tree.  I didn't see the animals that live here.  Ground squirrels perhaps?

This home may have started out as a woodpecker hole, which was then enlarged.  It has since been abandoned, but I found nesting materials inside.

Under a tree

I know that Squirrels will often dig a home amongst and under the roots of trees, but this one was quite large leaving me to speculate about which animal may have lived here.

Enjoy,
Susan 

The unintentional side effects of poison

Common Raven

Many local businesses have resorted to using poison to control pest species such as Pigeons and Rodents.   The reasons for doing so vary from loss of property and profit, to health concerns, and droppings leaving an unsightly mess on the sides of the buildings and rooftops.   However, the use of poison to control these pest species has a very unfortunate side effect that very few people mention, witness or even understand.


The poison that is used does not just target and kill the intended pest species.  In fact it can, and does act like a disease, which spreads to include other species.  Take the Raven for example.  Not only do local Ravens hunt Pigeons for food in winter, thus helping to control their population, they also eat carrion.  Their doing so helps prevent the spread of disease, but has now come with deadly consequence.  Just lately I was told by a friend that the body of a Raven had been found in a Garden Center without wounds, or other indication of injury that may have caused it's death, and this was not the first time this year.  While the Garden center is now closed, they still store seed and so, still implement pest control measures.

Peregrine

A couple of days ago I came across this little bird, in the photo below, outside of a business, near that same garden center.  It was a very sad species introduction for me.  As you can see there are no wounds, there is also no window nearby, ruling out a window strike.  My best guess, since this is a seed eating species, is that he got into some of the poisoned seed left out for the Pigeons on the rooftop.  

Common Redpoll male

Carrion eating species of birds and finches are not the only species to be affected.  Some of the poison that is left out for pest species to consume, is slow acting and creates horrible suffering.  Once the poison takes effect, the creature cannot move very fast or very far.  I have seen this many times, when I worked in a warehouse that stored and sold grain and seed products.  The result is that the poisoned creature can often be found out in the open somewhere between the location of the poison and a place of safety.  This leaves them vulnerable to predators such as the Merlin below, a Peregrine Falcon, an Owl or even a pet cat.

Family cat

While the predators may then instantly relieve their suffering, they in turn will suffer and die, when the Rodent or Pigeon is consumed.  Their bodies, if not left to decompose, will eventually be discovered and consumed by one of the many carrion eating species of wildlife.  If they do not consume the dead or dying creature themselves, as might be the case during the breeding season, then an Owl, Raven, or Merlin will feed the poisoned pest species to their mate, or their young, killing them instead.

Merlin

While I know that this was not intentional on the part of the decision makers involved, the use of poison as pest control measure has created a very bad, very indiscriminate cycle of death for many wildlife species that needs to be stopped.   However, the sad truth is, this local community isn't the only one to use poison to control pest species populations and eliminate health threats.  Poison has been used for many years by communities the world over.  Are there alternatives?  More in another post.

Susan