My Haikubox (read my blog post about this system) said there was a Red-Headed Woodpecker visiting my yard, but I did not believe the notification. However, yesterday afternoon when “Red” chased “Red” away from near my feeders, I became a believer! (“red-headed” chased “red-bellied” away). If I get lucky, Red #1 will nest near me. Two years ago a red-headed-woodpecker chose our woods for nesting.
These images and short video were taken while standing inside my house … about four yards away from my window. I did not want to spook the Red-Headed Woodpecker. (video link for email subscribers)
Yard Bird! Red!
My HaikuBox Notification … I need to also look for the other woodpecker!
Yesterday songbirds, but mainly migrating warblers were almost falling out of the sky … known as a bird fallout. I spent 90 minutes on a protected St. Louis Bay (Duluth Harbor) beach which had some small mud flats which screamed bugs (i.e. food) to the migrating birds. I saw hundreds and hundreds of warblers and most of the time they were within ten yards of me, if not closer (think a few feet). The warblers would move up and down the beach, and just ignore me … landing two feet in front of me, and then behind me. When birds are extremely hungry, almost starving, a big monster (i.e. me) is not a concern.
I discovered yesterday when I used the term “fallout” with birds many folks did not know what I was talking about. Here is my definition … others might describe a fallout better. The term refers to what happens when birds almost “fall out of the sky” during migration due to weather conditions and often a migration barrier (like a barrier of water … think Lake Superior). Here in Duluth warblers were running into dense fog, and fierce winds out of the NE off Lake Superior. The fog brings warblers out of the treetops towards the ground in their search for bugs, and the wind makes it almost impossible for them to continue their migration northwards. The beach where I was standing was protected from yesterday afternoon’s wind (35 mph as measured by a buoy just off shore), and the lower level of Lake Superior water this year also means there is a small mud flat against the harbor shore (St. Louis River Bay) with bugs. Food!
Here are some of the photographs I took yesterday during the fallout. Make certain to watch the videos! I also spent some time up at the Hartley Nature Center. There is a stream immediately next to the parking lot, and over the years I have discovered that during migration warblers love the large culvert right next to the parking lot. Once again, the protected stream as it flows through the culvert tends to have some of the first bug hatches in the area.
Hartley Nature Center Birds
American Redstart
Black and White Warbler
Veery
Park Point / Minnesota Point Birds
American Redstart
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-Sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Palm Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Tennessee Warbler
And when I got home … this Scarlet Tanager was hanging out within a few feet of our living room windows … next to my feeders, on our deck’s Adirondack chairs and one of the trailcams!
This Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker insisted in having its photograph taken. It was working away at a tree only feet off our deck, and stayed in this one location (food motivates) long enough for me to walk down the hill to our garage, get something, walk back up to the house, go inside and then get my camera. Sapsucker’s are one of my favorite woodpecker. I think this is the unique bird which drums in the tree nest to our bedroom window every morning at 5:00 am. Who needs an alarm clock?!
Finally, here are two More videos from yesterday’s Great Horned Owlet Rescue. Make certain you see yesterday’s post which has some cool videos and images from the actual rescue. These two movies were taken with my good camera.
The first video was taken shortly after I found the owlets and before the DNR and the Community Service Police Officer arrived to effect the rescue. (video link for email subscribers)
The second video was taken shortly after this particular owlet had been removed / rescued from the dog park. The owl was not happy with us, but quieted down quickly. (video link for email subscribers)
