Thanks for a mighty fine report on the Dyke Marsh walk today Gerry.
Before joining Gerry's group, I did a breeding bird survey of the southern
portion of Dyke Marsh from the Big Gut Bridge just north of Tulane Drive to
south of Morningside Lane.
Breeding activity was in full swing at the bridge with Eastern Kingbirds and
Northern Flickers engaged in courtship/copulation activities.
The nestling Bald Eagle near Bridge 21 south of Tulane Drive was sitting on
a branch several feet from the nest. The youngster could fledge within
another week.
Prothonotary Warblers are concentrated in the southern marsh this year as
always, with vocalizing males heard/seen at the Big Gut Bridge, Bridge 22,
Bridge 21, Pipeline Bay south shoreline, south of Bridge 18, and south of
Morningside Lane for those who asked at this morning's walk. The best
opportunity to see a Prothonotary Warbler is at the Big Gut Bridge (FYI
Lori!). The male here was singing from an exposed perch on the south side
of the bridge where the marsh vegetation hits the line of trees.
Other singing birds included Acadian Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Northern
Parula, and both orioles.
I then joined the regularly scheduled walk along Haul Road already reported
by Gerry Hawkins. They were studying a Baltimore Oriole nest near the dogleg
when I came upon the group. Seeing the Cedar Waxwing breeding pair putting
the final touches on a nest that Gerry and I found last Friday and observing
an Orchard Oriole nest located by Larry Meade put a nice final touch on
today's activities.
Larry Cartwright
prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx>
