It was one year ago that I first saw a Barred Owl at Bucktoe. Several decades ago, they were frequent breeders on the preserve, and to see one again filled the dark days of December and January with an excitement superceding all of the season's ordinary holiday cheer. I would find myself going out at dusk to try to catch a glimpse of this dark-eyed visitor. Our paths crossed a dozen times or so, and always fleeting s(he) was, deeper into the woods. Presently a pair of Great Horned Owls call nightly from the preserve, with a response from two juveniles (barely!) in the form of a raspy cry. Bucktoe is loaded with Great Horned Owls at the present with at least six in the vicinity, but more likely eight. I've read that they can prey on Barred Owls and I presume that the relative abundance of the two species on a site could reflect one's dominance. Screech Owls on the other hand seem to be enumerable, and can always be heard responding to its call reproduced vocally or electronically. This I was doing last week, and after a satisfactory period of communication with my kindred spirit, I moved on to another of my brethren. The Saw-whet Owl, which is the smallest owl east of the Rockies, had been seen only once before at Bucktoe. It was April 2007 and we received a call from one of our bird survey volunteers stating that he had located one on the preserve and that we should try to get out and see it. It was tucked up close to the trunk of a tiny, dense spruce tree, just as they are described to be found in their winter range. It stayed for a week or so after that and then it was gone leaving only a white-trunked tree (from defecation) as a reminder. So I return to the conclusion of my evening calling owls. I thought I would try to call a Saw-whet, and after quite a bit of calling and listening, (about twenty minutes) I got a bite! What a thrilling experience to receive a response from this uncommon winter visitor. As shivers were sent up my spine, I called no further and went back to the house to slip into my pajamas and warm bed. I couldn't help but dream of this little friend out in the cold. The natural world is so often experienced by what can be seen, but this eve I found myself content with it's sweet toot, toot, toot...
Yesterday, while leading a tour of the preserve, I heard an unfamiliar bird song. Unable to find the origin of this beautiful tinkling sound, I continued on with the walk. Later that day, after listening to some recordings, I was not surprised to find that it was the Winter Wren, a very small, mouse-like visitor to our area in the coolest third of the year. Racing in and out of brush and debris on the forest floor, it is usually only seen for a second or two. I considered it a rare treat to hear its song in the midst of these dreary, wet November days.
Yesterday, while leading a tour of the preserve, I heard an unfamiliar bird song. Unable to find the origin of this beautiful tinkling sound, I continued on with the walk. Later that day, after listening to some recordings, I was not surprised to find that it was the Winter Wren, a very small, mouse-like visitor to our area in the coolest third of the year. Racing in and out of brush and debris on the forest floor, it is usually only seen for a second or two. I considered it a rare treat to hear its song in the midst of these dreary, wet November days.
Monday was a milestone for our ongoing bird survey at Bucktoe. Shortly after our Monday Bird Walk began, we were treated to a fleeting glimpse of the uncommon Red-headed Woodpecker.It alighted on the top of one of our planted "snags", its whole head shining an unmistakable dark crimson. As quickly as it came it was gone, swept away by a crispy breeze that whispered Autumn. It quickly became our goal to try to observe the other six woodpecker species that can be found in our area. We went on to see a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (the first for the season for me), Northern Flicker, and the Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Only the great Pileated Woodpecker eluded us as a few of us searched on and off for the rest of the day. Even though we fell short of our daunting goal,we did get good looks at an adult Bald Eagle and an Osprey, as well as a few warbler species. As photographer Hank Davis and I searched in the woods for the Pileated, we happened upon a sleepy Great-horned Owl. Perhaps it was one of the same birds that fledged on the Preserve in the spring and still looked quite fluffy and cute in late May. (Photos by Harold A Davis) Feel free to join us any Sunday or Monday at 8:00 AM for our free bird walks. Hope to see you- William Ryan, Preserve Director
Our spring/summer ecological restoration interns are back! We have a great group of young people helping us this year at Bucktoe. Ranging from age 14 to 19, these kids will be assisting in the planting of native plants, removal of nonnative plants, creation and maintenance of trails, and assisting with the education programs, all the while learning through immersion, the details of our natural landscape.
This past Sunday we planted 100 trees and shrubs in two locations. Among the species planted were pin oak (Quercus palustris), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), and blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium).
We have another 200 plants to install in the next month hope the weather cooperates!
