BirdWalk Newsletter Conducted by Perry Nugent 3.26.17 Written by Jayne J. Matney

“The fish in the water is silent, the animals on the earth are noisy, the bird in

the air is singing. But man has in him the silence of the sea, the noise of the

earth, and the music of the air.” Rabindranath Tagore

This week will be a reflection of the silence, the noise, and the singing found

here at Magnolia Plantation. Enjoy the pictorial journey…….

Photo by Joe Moran

Photo by Angie Bridges

The Noise….

Photo below by Guenter Weber

Photo above by Cathy Padgett

The Silence

Photo above by Norma Armstrong

Photo below by Marina Coppedge

Photo by Guenter Weber

Photo by Cary McDonald

Photo above by Marina

Coppedge

Photo below by Perry Nugent

….and the

Singing

Upper left and clockwise: Flower photo by Jo Frkovich, Lil’ Blue by Marina Coppedge, Alligator by

Marina Coppedge, Wood Stork by Cathy Padgett, Warbler by Jennifer Goddard, Coots by Jo Frkovich

On 3.26.2017, 55 species were identified

by 12 participants on the 8:30 to 11:30

walk. Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal, and

Ring-necked Duck were the fowl of the

day. Other water birds were Pied-billed

Grebe, Double Crested Cormorant,

Anhinga (which are nesting in large

numbers here presently), Great Blue

Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little

Blue Heron, Tri-colored Heron, Black-

crowned Night Heron, Yellow-crowned

Night Heron, White Ibis, Common

Moorhen (an estimated 100 huddled

together in Perry Field Pond instead of

using the grass for cover), American

Coot, and Wilson’s Snipe.

“Snipe in Camouflage”

photo by Cathy Padgett

Approximately 30 Laughing Gulls were flyovers, and an osprey was hoovering near the water of

Ravenwood Pond. A Red-shouldered Hawk was spied in a wooded area, and the group of bird

watchers were thrilled to see 4 adult and 2 Juvenile Bald Eagles close to the large impoundment.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Downy

Woodpeckers made their appearances

while the Pileated Woodpeckers were

heard in the woods as the walkers made

their way through. The Northern Flicker

were among them.

Perry voices concern for the birds’ habitat

areas after Hugo occurred. Even now,

these types of birds have very few dead

trees left to build their nests.

Since our more recent storms, the wading

birds are shuffling for places to

nest as well. Only one tree swallow was

Photo above by Guenter Weber sighted on this morning’s walk. Perry’s

theory is that they roost here in the

winter- thus the high numbers at that time- then go to nest at Bear Island leaving fewer here at this

time. Perry notes that the numbers at Bear Island have increased in the last few weeks. Some birds

which are always a pleasure to see were the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern

Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird (seen near the cabin row dirt road), the White-eyed Vireo, the

Blue-headed Vireo, and the Common Yellowthroat. Four types of warblers were seen: The Northern

Parula which are migrating in and accumulating now, the Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow-rumped

Warbler, and the Pine Warbler. Perry suggests that the singing of these warblers, especially the

Yellow-throated Warblers which have been singing up a chorus the last few weeks, has now been

silenced due to nesting and the incubating of their eggs. The Cedar Waxwings gave the birdwatchers a

show. In a holly tree at the front parking lot, Perry explains that there were “as many birds as there

were leaves on the tree” devouring the berries there. It is suggested that the frost makes these berries

even more desirable than before! Three types of sparrows were located on the property. The Chipping

Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, and Swamp Sparrow made the list. To round out the rest of the bunch,

the Morning Dove, Red-winged Blackbird, Common and Boat-tailed Grackle, Northern Cardinal, Blue

Jay, American and Fish Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and Carolina Wren. At the end of

the walk, many Turkey and Black Vulture were seen using warm air thermals over the property. With

Perry’s humor, he asks, “What is the most common bird in the world? the ‘There-He-Goes’ bird.”

Photo by Guenter Weber

These flowers, so fragrant, grew

And the birds and bees sipped sweet nector

From the sparkling, morning dew.

God has blessed all beauties of Nature;

He’s set His approval and seal

On all of His small, winged messengers

That fly through the air with such zeal.

Gertrude Tooley Buckingham “Honeysuckle” 1940