Wetlands, Good Lands

Wetlands are important habitats for birds and many other animals.  Well cared for wetlands can be particularly valuable for animals especially in the winter months.  I toured some well maintained wetlands recently and it was a real joy.  The wetlands play host to a wide variety of animals and some gorgeous birds.  The Rails and waterfowl were particularly plentiful.  We got some great looks at Common Gallinules, a life bird for me, Sora, and others!  We heard a Virginia Waterfowl but we did not see it.

Taking care of wetlands is important and very hard to do.  From our earliest agricultural experiences, people are used to seeing wetlands as potential farms or other developments and that continues today.  There is also some controversy as to what constitutes and what doesn't a wetland.  These are important places and spaces for all animals and protecting them needs to be important.  I can't wait to get out and see some more birds and rails at the Wetlands across the southeast!  Until the next time!

What are your favorite wetlands to visit?

Common Gallinule

Pied-Billed Grebe

Sora

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Info on Wetlands on the EPA - Link here

A visit to the Wetlands

Bird Quiz #4: What Bird is this?????

The answer to last week: Osprey!  Congrats to all who got it right!

In my new home, I visited the Newmans Wetland Center and the E.L. Huie Ponds in Clayton County (Link here).  I've been to this site before, but never in the fall.  Fall does not hit the Southeast like it does in the Northeast.  There are one or two trees that are changing here, but not many.  Back in the cold northeast, many trees are changing and fall is marked by nice long drives through the mountains, and fall-ish things like Apple and Pumpkin picking and, of course, fall migration.

The Southeast has its own wonders and it is nice to be a new place and experience a new season.  So far Fall here has a lot of rain and clouds mixed with some real sunny days.  But it is fall migration and a trip to the wetlands would hopefully yield some migrants.  While the trip yield some great shots of birds (see below), there weren't many migrants to speak of.  Hummers were still around and many titmice as well.  A few waterfowl were about as well to round off the trip. A great and interesting site and worth the visit any time!

Until the next time, get out and go birding!

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Young Great Blue Heron

Palm Warbler

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Becoming a Citizen-Scientist

Since signing up for eBird (www.ebird.org), being a citizen-scientist has become something that has been increasingly on my mind.  A couple of weeks ago, an opportunity presented itself.  A local New Haven Park, Beaver Ponds Park (link) was look for people to monitor a couple of bird boxes that went up.  The opportunity was one that I did not want to pass up.  The task is simple and the park itself is one that worth spending time in.  The park has received a lot of attention from lots of groups including a very active group of local neighbors.  Seeing the park getting such care and invest makes for a good place for people and birds.

Since I volunteered to monitor some nest boxes, I wanted to get to know the Park and its seasons.  If I want to do the best job I can, this means becoming familiar the park, its birds, and its habits.  Having been to the park, many times before I was excited to return and begin to become reacquainted with the park.  I've seen Least Terns, Green Herons, and American Coot all at this site.  I am hoping to be able to see how the park changes with the seasons and how the birds and other animals adapt to the seasons.  I am going to try to dedicate a blog to the park once a month until July 2014.  This should provide a real good look at the changes in the park.

I want to be able to contribute to the world of birds and birding and this project is one little way that I can help.  While there are lots of people adding their efforts and time to the world of birding and I know that my project is but a small one.  I feel that I do need to contribute beyond just listing on eBird.  Not saying that's not important, but I can apply myself and my skills in other ways.  I intend to do just that so that I can starting giving back to something that has given me so much.  Until then, get outside and bird!

Can you find the Carolina Wren?

Eastern Phoebe

A Soaring Raptor

A Blue Jay

Hairy Woodpecker

2013 Year List: 265