Prothonotary are pretty little birds (but large for a Warbler) that live near water in thick wooded areas. They are usually ground feeders or only as high up as the insects roam. Though habitually bashful, they have a strong, high pitched “Tweet” that pierces the woods in rapid blasts of 4 to 5 notes. Usually as one turns to face the siren strength call, the bright flash of yellow will dart through the foliage and vanish.
In a previous discussion about these birds, I learned (through a “Nook nudge”) that there are only two warblers that nest in cavities rather than in the open Prothonotary being one, (Lucy’s Warbler being the other).
With that new information, I looked for Prothonotary using the combination of the bird’s preferences. The photo below was the setting of my search.
It didn’t take long to hear the call and see the yellow flash through the dark green leaves. Movement kept leading to and away from the dead snag at the water’s edge.
I focused the lens even further and saw the holes. I wondered if these could be nest sites.
My answer came within minutes. I was able to get the following footage of my “first of year” Prothonotary Warbler.
1:41 minutes
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Even before the bird exited the cavity, it was feeding on the small ants climbing the stump. It seemed the perfect snack before going off to find a proper breakfast.
After the Warbler departed, I enjoyed the plants that were making a strong stance. Thistles were creating a protective fence on the edges of the slope. The smaller of the two species I saw was the Yellow. These plants will only grow as high as three feet but the extra layer of spines near the flower head give them the title of “Horrible head”.
Bull Thistle are big, bold and beautiful. They will reach 7 feet tall if left alone. The flower heads are enormous. The orange dot on my photo below is the husk of dragonfly nymph and the size of a thumbnail (on the softball sized bloom).
Draping over the lower edges of the woods were the climbing plants that made a curtain for the woods within. Peeking through is difficult, but the animals that live among these plants have mastered ingress and egress to the maze.
In dark niches along the stream, this fern is content to catch any light allowed by the lush foliage above. I learned that it will avoid direct rays and that is shown in the photo below. A sensitive frond indeed.
I usually park and walk 1 /2 mile to the best sites at the research station. There are mowed areas where I leave the truck near the research ponds. I spotted this Eastern Phoebe atop a reed in one. I filmed it’s circular tail waging because it was so demonstrative.
29 second video
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Not far away from the Phoebe, a female Brown-headed Cowbird was grazing in the short grass. She was chirping and fluttering as if ready to mate. A group of four males surrounded her to vie for her attention.
31 second video
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream,visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on follow.
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I hope that gives you an idea of how nice it is to have access to the research station grounds. I hope you have your own place full of wild activity and will share your findings from those places here.