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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