Nature Note: A Naturalist's Travels Through Nature

This past weekend was very birdy days for me. I've seen some pretty cool things this weekend and I'm so excited to share them. I assisted with a winter bird walk at the Watershed today. We had several people participate and were at varying skill levels when it came to birding. We started at the front of the main office and worked our way towards the back hedgerows. As we walked, we paused to notice the robins and waxwings feeding fervently on the berry-covered trees. We didn't stay long as the cold was bone-chilling and so we moved along at a fair clip to keep up our body heat. And wouldn't you know it, it would be a great morning despite the cold and my lack of gloves. As we entered the meadow east of the main office, we watched and listened for singing White-throated Sparrows ( Zonotrichia albicollis ). It was around this time that we noticed the Turkey Vultures ( Cathartes aura ) flapping low over the field. They were doing so because the thermals they needed to ...

Things are heating up at Wargo Pond this week. The frogs are out, the sunfish are starting to make their nests, and the geese are angrier than ever. When most people tend to think of Canada Geese ( Branta canadensis ) they think of the aggressive pooping birds that ruin any grassy area they accumulate in. When I think of Canada Geese, I think of the calls of a passing flock that are so pleasing to hear on a crisp fall day, their neat black stockinged heads and necks, and their devotion to their mates, young, and territory. These are some of the prime reasons they are one of my favorite birds. Being a fan of waterfowl in general, the late spring and early summer is one of the best times to witness waterfowl behavior. Being very common throughout North America, Canada Geese are very easy to observe when it comes to mating rituals and defensive behavior. Just today, I saw several behaviors detailed in the "Stokes Guide to Bird Behavior Vol 1". (Originally titled "A Guid...