It was a cold morning today at 38 but calm, clear and sunny. I decided to check out the Redbank Valley Trail at Lawsonham near Rimersburg for Louisiana waterthrush. The first one I heard singing as soon as I opened the car door. What a lovely sound that never gets old ! It was right at the run heading towards Redbank, I believe Turkey Creek. There was a second one about 3/4 mile further down as well. Headed up the other way towards Climax, just past the Sligo Spur, I also heard the yellow-throated warbler singing, back at the same spot it's been the last several years. I had forgotten it might be back already so was delighted to hear it, and it came down into the tree above close enough to see it as well, the yellow throat just glowing in the morning sun. The other arrival was a blue-headed vireo singing sweetly, another beautiful sight to see.
Last week we were alerted to a possible raven nest by a local neighbor, and we were able to confirm an active nest, with a bird sitting on the large stick nest about 50+ feet up the side of an old silo, on a metal platform at the top of a metal shaft or elevator on the side, not sure. It was tucked back in behind so well hidden and a little protected from the weather, but visible from the hillside across from it. So both nests I have ever located now are on manmade structures, the one last year being on a railroad trestle.
