Apologies for neglecting posting for a bit, but Arlene's update got me to add this to my list for today. The screech owl update is first, which is that my little gray which stayed roosting in the barn this winter was starting to look like she wouldn't have a mate this year. I wasn't even sure it was a female this time. But several weeks ago she disappeared for about two weeks, then we were delighted to see her in the nest box one evening at dusk ! Last year she nested in a nearby tree cavity. At about the same time we finally heard calling again, and a red screech showed up roosting in the barn. In the evenings he sits on the door or on the back perch facing the box. So now I know she was a female and has a new mate as last year there was a gray male. He is active every night almost hourly visiting the box as seen on our trail cam. One night I could see him from the deck with the scope, he was perched in the box, then swooped down after prey below I assume and up she popped to sit in the entrance, and coughed up a pellet ! I'm so happy to have them back in the box where I can so easily watch the activity.
Spring arrivals.. I walked the trail along Redbank Creek yesterday and was thrilled to find an early returned yellow-throated warbler, perhaps newly arrived. It was feeding down lower than I have ever seen, at eye level and even down onto the ground, about 10 feet in front of me on the side of the trail. It worked its way up and down the trunk and small branches, picking off everything it could find I guess. I saw it so quickly with the bright yellow throat standing out like a beacon in the gray and brown surroundings. What a joy to see on a gray day ! I missed finding any waterthrush there but today on the way home from New Bethlehem I made a quick side trip down along Leatherwood Creek and found my Louisiana singing away along the rushing muddy creek, another wonderful spring sound. I am amazed I could hear it over the roaring water, the only visitor there on the creek that would have normally had fisherman on opening day.
Tonight, I checked on my short-eared owls, and lucked out to have a little break in the rain. I found a male perched on guard near a small shrubby area and watched it for awhile before another male took off from a short distance away as it got dark, then a female. I believe there was a second female as well that flew in over me from the other field, but three for sure. I am hoping for possible breeding success here and behavior seemed promising tonight. (location private)
Lastly, the Cooper's are courting again in the woods, and a redtail has been on the nest across at the neighbors for the last several weeks, as well as a new nest across the valley. Kestrel pairs have been together and active also at the two nearby nest areas from last year. This afternoon I was thrilled to just luck out in seeing a small group of common loons going over on the SW winds, heading north high in the sky.
A good couple of birding days ! I might head to Kahle in the morning to see if any of Jerry's good birds are still around, good spring birding to all,
