Today is International Migratory Bird Day, held annually on the second Saturday in May. Not very well known, or even important, to most people...but a miracle none the less! Each spring, billions of birds (neo-tropicals) who have spent our winter in Central or South America, begin a very long, and sometimes treacherous, trek to familiar breeding grounds in the U.S. and Canada. Generally, they migrate at night, stopping for periods of time along the way to feed, rest and brush up on their mating songs. If you are not looking for them or paying attention to the change in bird songs filling the air, you will miss this Great Migration! And these are of some of the most beautiful birds in North America!
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| My birdwatching perch on the ridge |
The Audubon Society has designated several Ohio Important Bird Areas (IBA's). These are specific habitats able to provide premium food and nesting resources for land and water birds. Prairie Pond Woods is located smack-dab in the middle of two of them, Shawnee State Forest and The Edge of Appalachia Preserve. While taking a retreat at Prairie Pond Woods in late April and early May, I was able to spot over 25 of these migrating species. Some will be staying at the retreat to raise a brood or two, some will move on to more northern states and provinces and some will head to the Boreal Forest Region in Canada. This is an extremely long journey and I am humbled each year when they return, and honored to be able to provide what they need in the prairie, on the pond or in the woods!
Below are a few stock photos of some of the warblers and other birds that grace the property each year. Most are not mine, as I don't possess the camera or inclination to get these great close-ups. Enjoy the beauty and wonder!
Black & White Warbler...hard to spot as it tends to crawl along trunks and branches...but easy to hear.
Black-throated Green Warbler...heard (and barely seen high in the canopy) on the day before I left the retreat.
Blue-winged warbler...we play a game of hide and seek in the cedars...I usually lose.
Hooded Warbler...just a lovely bird that hangs low down by the spring making him easy to see.
Yellow-rumped Warbler...acutally had one of these stick around this winter...acting like he owned the maple tree where the feeder hangs
Pine Warbler...not all that flashy...but one of the first to show up and now nesting in a pine tree by the deck!
The ubiquitous Prairie Warbler...King and Queen of the Prairie.
One is nesting in this small cedar tree.
The Scarlet Tanager...kept hearing his Robin-like song up in the canopy...then after 3 days I finally spotted it
near the retreat house!
Bluebird Babies!
Song Sparrow nest in Cedar next to garage
Phoebe nest above garage on the motion detector light
2 comments:
I'm marking this day on the calendar! it was such a joy to be at the Wildflower Retreat and catch a glimpse of the early arrivals in the migration one year. Blessings on you, Cindy, I think of you often!
Thanks, Ferree. I hope you come back for another retreat someday! Next year maybe it won't be so cold and wet during the migration!
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