First Feederwatch count is down . . . and here's the reason

I scheduled our first Feederwatch count of the season for Tuesday and Wednesday this week. We haven't been seeing many birds lately, but I diligently cleaned and filled the feeders in great anticipation of the debut of our 15th year of counting.

Although our first counting period of each season (usually in the last 2 weeks of November) yields somewhat lower species and individual counts, I was annoyed that I was not seeing any birds frequenting our feeders for most of Tuesday afternoon and then again Wed. morning.

A quick glance out the front picture window at noon revealed the reason why:

This very large Cooper's hawk (very possibly a female) had positioned herself right above our suet and Bigtop feeders and was looking for lunch!

After about ten minutes of vigilance without results, she took off for our neighbor's yard, where she again parked herself on a branch right over his feeders.

We have also seen "her" two other days, perched in our trees, soaring through the yard or hopping around our dense evergreen bushes, but so far coming up empty!

Final (sparse) count: Carolina chickadee 3

Tufted Titmouse 2

House Finch 8

Junco 3

Mourning Dove 12

WB Nuthatch 2

Downy WP 2

Red-Bellied WP 1

WThroated Sparrow 2

House Sparrow 4

Cooper's Hawk 1

It could be a long winter for Feederwatch!

Snake-ing in November

Deb and I went to Palmyra Cove this past Sunday in search of sparrows and whatever else might come our way. It being about 60 degrees and sunny, I had in the back of my mind the possibility of a snake being found, though I considered my options for species to be limited to the Garter Snake and Brown Snake, both being very good at weathering cooler weather.

We didn't find much in the way of birds. 2 migrating Bald Eagles, a few Field Sparrows, about 10 Golden Crowned Kinglets and a Hairy Woodpecker. That was about it besides the normals.

But on our way back to the parking lot. I heard those magical words..."uhhhh Matt!!!" as Deb suddenly stopped in the path. The last time one of us almost stepped on a snake it was me and a Copperhead. This time it was Deb and a very sharp looking juvenile Black Rat Snake (also called Eastern Ratsnake). The first juvenile I have ever seen, in fact.

This little guy was about 16 inches long, a far cry from the 60-90 inch snake he will become. The BR Snake is the largest (in terms of length) snake in NJ. It is in fact one of the three longest snakes in North America, with the record being 101 inches! As you can see the juvenile looks a good bit different from the adults, who are predominantly black on back and sides, and white on the belly.

This specific snake was in fact the best snake I have ever handled, being that it did not bite me, poop on me, or leave that lovely snake defensive musk smell that takes a long time to get off one's hands :)

It's a Sharp-Shinned Hawk!

One of my favorite parts in the movie The Santa Clause is a scene when some marionettes are on a miniature stage, and as the camera pans, you hear one of the voices scream, "look, it's a sharp-shinned hawk!"

Well, yesterday in front of the Wild Bird Center where I work, we had a true drama, as an adult Sharpie hunted the very large House Sparrow flock that hangs out in the tall ornamental grasses on one of the islands in the parking lot. The sparrow flock has been increasing since the spring, to the point where there are probably 50 at times in the area around the bird feeder.

 Yesterday, this Sharpie made a dive at the feeder but missed the first time, and landed beside the grasses in the middle of the road, probably 30 feet from the front door of our store. It proceeded to skulk through the tall bunches of grass, hopping in an out of the cover, then onto the street. I could see a group of about 10 sparrows sitting at the top of the grasses only a few feet away, and I figured it was only a matter of time for this cool carnivore to be enjoying dinner.

What was surprising to me was how unconcerned the hawk was about people nearby. One man was standing and taking pictures of the hawk probably 15 feet away. Other people were milling in the parking lot. And the hawk was in the middle of the road! Apparently he has adapted quite well to people, or is at least willing to be a bit daring when an easy meal is to be had.

The hawk did snatch a sparrow and after briefly taking it to the ground, flew off, to the delight of the customers and staff at the Wild Bird Center (except for the one lady who seemed to be disturbed by the very thought of a hawk being anywhere near her).

More finches....

I will be posting shortly about my trip to Cape May last Monday which was excellent! But in the meantime, I have had some nice feeder regulars lately. 1-3 Pine Siskins have been consistent all week, a male Purple Finch a few days (though they seem to be slowing down) and a very regular female Red Breasted Nuthatch has been visiting the feeders. As many as 28 American Goldfinches have been present. I keep adding more thistle sacks!

Also, it is interesting to see the chain of command amongst the finches. Here's what I've observed:

House Finch>Purple Finch>Pine Siskin>American Goldfinch

House Finches particularly do not care to feed next to Purple Finches. Interesting!

Now, the next bird to visit the feeders? Common Redpoll? One can only hope...

Local Sparrows

While nothing spectacular, while working from home, I enjoyed seeing a flock of 15 Dark-Eyed Juncos and 3 Chipping Sparrows scatter over the lawn below my window. First time that I've seen Chipping Sparrows in my neighborhood.