I’ve seen both GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES and WILSON’S WARBLERS at White Oaks
Park this week, along with numerous blackpolls and a few redstarts and
magnolias. I went to the back side of Huntley this morning, and it was
remarkably dead. The only passage migrants were a gray-cheeked singing, a
female magnolia, and a silent empid in the Woodcock Meadow that was
problably a least based on the substantial eyering and short primary
projection. Not a single blackpoll.
This year for the first time, the local catbirds nested in the azaleas in
front of my house, visible from the downstairs windows. I’ve enjoyed
watching the bahavior of the nesting parents. Today, I was working in yard
when I heard all hell break loose. I went inside to view the nest through
the window, and saw the two adults screaming at and pecking at a black rat
snake about 3 feet from the nest. I watched for a while, and the snake just
took the abuse. I considered shooing it away, but assumed that the nest
location was no longer secret, and the snake would just come back later.
Besides, snakes gotta eat, too.
Later I came back and the snake was in the process of cleaning out the nest.
Eventually, the catbirds lost interest, but still occasionally harassed it
as it slithered off. The entire
process took over a half an hour.
A few other birds came by and called, but not surprisingly none were as
agressive as the nesting catbirds, except a third adult catbird that
eventually joined the fray.
Of course, I have mixed feelings about this event: I enjoyed watching the
catbirds, and was looking forward to seeing them raise a brood. On the
other hand, it was a very interesting episode of natural history to be able
to watch.
Ben Jesup
Alexandria
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