[Lake St. Clair Metropark, MI. Jan 2015]
Most of our songbirds prefer to nest in the Spring and Summer, Owls, however, start much earlier -- typically beginning their nesting in winter. Presumably, this is because their prey items (rodents, birds, etc.) will be more abundant by the time their owlets fledge.
Thus, it was not wholly unexpected when the foolhardy act of braving the freezing temperatures, brought on by a quick excursion to Lake St. Clair Metorpark, was rewarded with great sightings of Great Horned Owl as well as other (mostly) familiar species such as:
In Michigan at this time of year the trees are bereft of foliage and spotting the owl is thus made considerably easier:
Lake St. Clair Metropark hosts a devoted pair of these owls and every year visitors delight in watching these owls nest, feed and fledge their young.
Unlike the owl, the Rusty Blackbird was entirely unexpected at the park this time of year:
A perfunctory look at this Icterid could easily result in grave misidentification. The yellow eye and overall black plumage are temptingly similar to the Common Grackle:
However, a more considered examination will reveal, to the discerning observer, a couple of key differences: the thicker bill on the Grackle and the distinctive rusty markings on the Blackbird.
Classified as "Vulnerable", this population of this charming blackbird is in free fall -- with an 85% decline over the last few decades. This species is observed well at Magee Marsh in early Spring.
Commoner species observed included:
White-breasted Nuthatch:
This is a year-round resident at the park but generally manages to evade attempts at photography.
Black-capped Chickadee:
Downy Woodpecker:
A striking Northern Cardinal:
.. and a Song Sparrow itching to sing:
With the advent of February, the renewed activity of birds -- starting with the nesting of raptors -- betray the first stirrings of Spring; that, within a couple of months, will be fully underway.
Most of our songbirds prefer to nest in the Spring and Summer, Owls, however, start much earlier -- typically beginning their nesting in winter. Presumably, this is because their prey items (rodents, birds, etc.) will be more abundant by the time their owlets fledge.
Thus, it was not wholly unexpected when the foolhardy act of braving the freezing temperatures, brought on by a quick excursion to Lake St. Clair Metorpark, was rewarded with great sightings of Great Horned Owl as well as other (mostly) familiar species such as:
- Rusty Blackbird
- Nuthatch
- Downy Woodpecker
- Northern Cardinal
- Black-capped Chickadee
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| Great Horned Owl seen at Lakes Park, Ft. Myers |
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| Great Horned Owl seen at Lake St. Clair Metropark |
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| Great Horned Owl seen at Lake St. Clair Metropark |
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| Rusty Blackbird seen at Lake St. Clair Metropark |
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| Common Grackle seen at Corkscrew Swamp |
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| Rusty Blackbird seen at Lake St. Clair Metropark |
Commoner species observed included:
White-breasted Nuthatch:
This is a year-round resident at the park but generally manages to evade attempts at photography.
Black-capped Chickadee:
Downy Woodpecker:
A striking Northern Cardinal:
.. and a Song Sparrow itching to sing:
With the advent of February, the renewed activity of birds -- starting with the nesting of raptors -- betray the first stirrings of Spring; that, within a couple of months, will be fully underway.
1 comment:
Another great chapter of storytelling, Hemant.
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