Chimney Swifts

Heard swifts in the chimney last night!

Previous years they found their way to our chimney on these dates:

April 23, 2011
May 15, 2010
April 15, 2009
2008 arrival not documented

Mason Farm April 29, 2012

Birds of Note:

Chestnut-sided warbler
American Redstart (many males)
Common Yellowthroats (saw many males and females)
Northern Parula
Indigo Bunting (saw many)
Yellow Breasted Chat (lots)
Philadelphia Vireo
heard:
Summer Tanagers
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Barred Owl
Prairie warbler
Ovenbird
Red Eyed Vireo
White Eyed Vireo
Acadian Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Wood Peewee

Butterflies of Note:
Questionmarks
Fiery Skippers (many)
Zebra Swallowtail

Herps of Note:
Black Rat Snake

West Eno River

Brown-Headed Nuthatch Nest

The Brown-headed Nuthatches are actually nesting in the large stump in the greenway this year. And they have nestlings. Saw both parents bring food to the very low nest cavity.

And they have roomates: a pair of Five-lined skinks.

Nest Box Update

All boxes empty at this time.

The chickadees in box 2 had their nest overtaken by ants. One very decomposed chick left in the nest, no other chicks or eggs.

Yard Blooms

First Round of Black Swallowtail Pillars

Mason Farm April 15, 2012

Birds of Note:
American Redstarts
Ovenbirds
Common Yellowthroats
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Many Kinglets and Gnatcatchers
White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireos
Yellow-rumps

Saw a honey bee swarm:

 

 

 When honey bees swarm they will settle on a tree limb, bush, or other convenient site. The cohesiveness of the swarm is due to their attraction to a pheromone produced by the queen. The swarm will send out scout bees to seek a cavity to nest in and will move on when a suitable nesting site is found. Rarely, swarms may initiate comb construction in the open if a suitable cavity cannot be found. (via)

 Ranuculus bulbosus (non-native)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Saw the first hummer of the season this morning.

Red-headed Woodpeckers Return

The Red-headed woodpeckers are back. They are fighting with the Red-bellied woodpeckers again over territory. Last year they arrived on May 3rd.

(photo via)

Front Yard Flowers

Yates Mill April 8, 2012

Birds of note:

Many Gnatcatchers

Swamp Sparrow

Yellow-throated Warbler

Kingbird

Hummingbird (probably Ruby-throated)

Large Flock of Cedar Waxwings

 

 Flame Azeleas still in bloom.

 Beaver busy.