The Wilds - 11-14-2010

The Wilds

We arrived at the Wilds at 9:00 A.M. almost exactly. It was the 13^th of November, and it was an unusually warm day for November, but I was too distracted by the idea of where I was in order to pay it much mind. The Wilds was a place I only heard about, never visited, and a place I have wanted to see for a long time. The idea of seeing Zebras, rhinoceroses, and giraffes outside of a contained area is extremely appealing to me, and seeing some more birds I have been learning about was exciting as well. Indeed, going into the field the day after my lab practical was going to be very fascinating, having studied these birds to a great extent for the exam certainly would insure my ability to accurately identify them in the field, and indeed that proved to be the case with our first sighting of a few Horned Larks immediately after our arrival.

There was also a blue jay with them, along with a couple of American goldfinches, which could be heard chirping their song. Crossing the road, we came to a pond, where fellow ornithological student Bryan spotted a male northern harrier in the distance. I was not able to see this, however what happened next became the highlight of the trip for me. A Northern Shrike was spotted, and I was able to follow it the entire time he was in our presence, flying around the grasses and shrubs. At one point, he flared his tail in front of me, showing off his beautiful plumage and sassy movements.

In the lake, we were all not originally able to view any wildlife, due to our angle and the bright morning sun glaring upon the lake. Getting closer, we were able to make out some Mallards and American Black ducks upon the water. Dr. Miles saw some Lesser Scaups as well, before they flew away.

Loading back into the vans, we headed over to the visitor station and arrived at 9:52 A.M. From this high view point, we were able to see very far around the entire area, and through the binoculars the rhinoceroses and buffalo kept at the Wilds. In terms of birds, we were able to make out: 

- 84 Canada Geese

- An American Crow

- Turkey Vulture

While leaving, a sparrow was spotted, and much time was spent looking at the curious bird for signs of what type of sparrow it was. A good 20 minutes or so was spent looking through the scope for its feather markings, and at last it was decided to be a Savannah Sparrow. 

Back in the vans, we went upon the process of riding along a the roads and stopping every half mile or so to bird watch. Our next bird seen was a hawk, but was classified as a Beuto Unknown, as it flew away before it could be identified. And actual Red Hawk was later seen however.

On one stop, with a heard of Zebras in the far back, a red tailed hawk was seen perching on a fence post. Another bird, a Morning Dove, flew up beside the hawk and it flew off in glorious fashion, across the sky above us and to its nest in a nearby tree. An American kestrel was also seen in the area.

By 11:15 A.M., we arrived near the giraffe barn, in which we saw a Cucu, and later towards a barn two kestrels chasing a hawk, two woodpeckers, believed to be yellow-bellied sapsuckers, and a Bluejay

Our final stop was at another pond, in which we saw a Northern Shovler, a Killdeer, a sandpiper, and Dunlin. We also got the chance to see some Canada Geese feed, which proved to be rather comical.

Saw-Whet Owls 10-30-2010

For our fourth ornithology field trip, we went too Ross County at a place called the Buzzerd’s Roost, a place very close to where I did an internship over the last summer for bird work- Tar Hallow. We were to meet up with Kelly Williams-seig, a master bird bander and the one who directed me during the Tar Hollow internship. Instead of going collecting data on warbler nesting sites and territories, however, we were to be studying the very cool Saw-Whet owl. I am very interested in owls, so I was very excited. 

It was a Saturday evening, and although we were missing the customary Athens, OH Halloween celebrations, I was very excited to see some diverse birds close up. The skies were forecast, and we started off our adventure setting up mist nets in order to catch passerine birds. At first it seemed hopeless as we all scattered through the forest in order scare the birds into the nests, without luck. However, we decided to set up some more, and Kelly asked for volunteers to come with her to help out. I was one of the group that decided to go, and we walked a bit down the road to undo already set up nets. 

Right after we set them up, we had immediate success. Four tufted titmice were caught all within moments of each other, and Kelly and Dr. Miles went about undoing them from the mesh wiring. This was a long process that had to be done very carefully, as the birds were delicate. While we all gathered around them to watch the freeing process, a sharp-shinned hawk flew into the net near one of the waiting titmouse, obviously trying to find a mean. We caught a bird and used it as bait to catch a hawk! 

After freeing them all and bagging them, they were brought back to the parking lot. It turned out that the rest of the class caught birds as well, released by Susan herself. They caught: a hermit thrush, a female American goldfinch, and male and female Northern Cardinals. We recorded various aspects about them including: amount of fat, the wing chord, mass, species, sex, age, and the band number. They were then ready to be released, and the proper way to release the birds was demonstrated, a method called the bander’s grip, which involved placing two fingers on the base of the skull on both sides of the bird’s head. 

We then went to go up the road to a station to eat dinner, and while we ate Josh read to us out of a children’s book called “So what, Saw-Whet?” Before this however, a owling call was set in place to get the actual Saw-Whets to fly into the nets. We would wait on periods of 45 minutes at the house, then go check on both of the nests for owls. We tried, 3 different times, however there was no luck on capturing the elusive Saw-Whet.

South Carolina Birding Extravaganza 10-15-2010

DAY 1 

We arrived at our campsite after a 12 hour adventure traveling America’s eastern Appalachian highways, a few pit stops, a dozen or so on and off naps, and many interesting conversations. The day was very late, and instead of starting off the ornithology field trip looking at birds, it was decided that it’d be best to set up the campsite and start dinner. The mosquitoes were the immediate part of the south I noticed- this trip would be the furthest this far down of the United States I ever experienced, and I wasn’t expecting the bugs to be as bad as everyone said. Before bed however and after dinner, we decided to get our feet wet by exploring the area and looking for the curious sound we kept hearing: owls. However it was dark, and even though we tried, the owls could not be spotted.

The next morning, on October 15^th, 2010, we started off the day with binoculars around our necks and field guides in hand as we followed Dr. Miles around Francis Marion national Forest to warm up our bird watching skills. We were in a post rain but there were no clouds, and the brisk (50 degrees Celsius) morning air at 7:45 A.M. disagreed with my sleepy eyes. In our beginning moments, we saw many local species of birds, including:

-          Eastern Screech Owl

-          White Breasted Nuthatch

-          Red Bellied Woodpecker

-          Downy woodpecker

-          Common Grackle

-          Northern Mockingbird

After our warm up, we all loaded into the vans and headed down the road. We came upon forest road 211, still within the Francis Marion National Forest, and stopped along the road to observe the white rings around several of the trees- markers for the birds that live there, and home to the birds we were searching for. We got out and observed one of the old woodpecker nesting sites. White sap was flowing out and down the tree, and the nest as well as the holes in which the parents drill in circles to protect the nest could clearly be seen.

Further down the road, we arrived at a site that Dr. Miles knew to be a very good spot for viewing a colony of Red-cockaded Wood Peckers. We were able to identify four individuals, as well as a White-Breasted Nuthatch. Other birds sighted in this area were a warbler on a pine tree, small Golden-crowned Kinglet, and an American kestrel.

The time was 9:20 A.M. and we left for a rest stop to refuel the vans, however on pre-departure we all were met with the luck of  seeing many (up to 10) turkey vultures resting on trees directly behind the stop. After a prolonged stay spent viewing these very large birds so close, we left for the South Tibwin Wetland Complex.

We arrived at the South Tibwin woods at 10:07 A.M. and the temperature was 62 degrees Fahrenheit. This part of the trip I would have to say was definitely the least enjoyable for me, due only to the massive amount of mosquitoes present from the moment we arrived. There was almost no defense from them other than the bug spray and bandanas, both of which I failed to bring. However, half way through the trip I realized the best way to conquer the flying attackers was with wind, so I figured I could use my folder I carried in my backpack in order to fan my face and thus disrupt an from attacking. With this method, I was able to spot a good few birds along the way, including a Blue jay, cormorants, common yellow throated warbler, and even a juvenile bald eagle. Right when I thought my wrist would fall off and the mosquitoes could get no worse, we arrived at the highlight of the day: the bird watching station overlooking the wetlands. It is hard to describe just how ecstatic our class went over the amount of birds seen and heard at this one small area of bird watching paradise. Over the course of over an hour, we saw looked through the rectangular viewing ports and saw a great amount of wildlife, including a bobcat, crocodile, and a massive amount of birds, including:

-          Pie-billed Grebes

-          Great blue heron

-          Red-tailed hawk

-          Fish crow

-          2 belted kingfishers

-          Wood storks

-          Great egrets

-          Pelicans

-          Bald eagle

We later went around the wetlands and to the dam separating the marsh from water to observe closer where the bobcat and crocodile were sighted, however were met with only more amazing birds. We trekked our way back out of the mosquito jungle back to the vans, and headed to one my favorite parts of the trip, the Sewee visitor center.

We arrived at exactly 3 P.M., and the weather was sunny. We started off by going in the center itself and admiring the diverse displays of wildlife that exist in the forest, including models of owls, foxes, and beavers. After some time, the class was informed that the endangered red wolfs that are kept there were being fed soon; an opportunity we could not pass up. The wolfs were very interesting and looked as exotic as I imagined them too, and over time the feeder explained to us of their life history and current conservation status. As they were being fed, I couldn’t help notice of their resemblance to my dog, and in fact I later learned that one was actually named the same as my dog Tippy. 

Before leaving the wolfs, Dr. miles explained to us one of our major assignments for the field trip we were to be doing soon, a mapping exercise of cataloguing birds in a radiated area. I was put on a team with fellow classmates Scott, Clayton, and Paul. We waited around at one area of forest for ten minutes, one member facing each direction, and wrote down on a circled graph any birds sighted in the area. In our area, we located a warbler, 3 turkey vultures, and an osprey. Regrouping with the rest of the class back at the lake outside the visitor’s center, we were met with an unexpected surprise: birds flying high. We were able to identify 3 peregrine falcons and a bald eagle!

We closed off this perfect day with a visit to the most beautiful boardwalk I have seen: The Cape Romain National Wildlife refuge. The time was 4:59 P.M. and the skies were completely clear, with a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The boardwalk was long and beautiful, and the warm sea air was welcomed after a long day of bird watching. Being here was definitely meditative and therapeutic, causing serine feelings of relaxation as I scanned the skies for birds. I both stayed with the main group that followed Dr. Miles as well as broke off to identify birds with a small group of fellow students. On our own we were able to use the field guide “The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America” by David Allen Sibley to identify the following amazing birds:

-          Snow Egret

-          Belted kingfisher

-          A great many barn swallows

-          Laughing gull

-          Osprey

-          Sea gulls

-          Great black-backed gull

-          Fosters tern

-          Tree swallow

-          Merlins

-          Double crested cormorant

-          American Oystercatcher

-          Willets

-          Juvenile double crested cormorant

-          7 Wood Storks

-          Fish Crow

-          Tri-colored Heron

I later rejoined the group who at one point was using a scope in order to see some close up. It started to get dark, and it was decided at this point it’d best to call it an end to this epic day of bird watching, and head back to camp for some amazing food and company.

Day 2

The night before Day 2 (10/16/2010) we moved the campsite to a more accommodating location, which served us much better for casual campfire games and magnificent campfire meals, prepared by Dr. Miles himself. We started the next day out early with a strong cup of coffee and warm clothing. Today we would be getting straight to the point: no more need for warming up our bird watching and journal taking skills. The first destination was a big one, sought after by many experienced bird watchers we would later realize: Huntington state park beach in Georgetown. We arrived at 9:00 A.M. and it was 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The skies were clear, and the wind felt amazing in the warm weather. There was a long road going through two separate bodies of water; one salt and the other fresh. The first thing I noticed was 11  Northern harriers high in the sky, along with two ospreys. As We walked along the sidewalks lining the roads, I also saw the following:

-          American Crow

-          Many Willets crawling in the mud

-          Barn Swallow

-          Little Egret

-          11 Great Blue Herons

-          Clapper Wails

-          Greedy Grit

-          Nelson Sea-side Sparrow

-          Pine-Billed Grebes

-          Common Grackle

The Highlight of the experience occurred when we arrived half way through the walk at a viewing station, with the most number of birds seen here. It started off slow with watching some tri-colored herons, Ibises, and common grackles feeding around in the shallow water. It was the most interesting thing to me watching these birds feed, all of which used the method of opening their mouths and skimming around in the water for fish. Many of the birds were passively fighting every now and then, but most of the time feeding was peaceful with moderate signs of territorialism, however this didn’t last long. 

A wood stork decided to visit and try its luck, followed by a couple more. Suddenly, a massive flock was seen in the distance flying to the north, which took perch on a bunch of trees. Somehow, they knew the eating was good where the small group was feeding near us, and slowly the pack of more than 100 wood storks drifted in and down upon the marsh. It was a spectacle too see so many birds fishing around and competing for food, let alone so many near each other.  The wood storks themselves were huge with long bills, and the highlight of this whole show was seeing a pair use their bills as weapons and clap at each other, making the sounds of horse hooves against the ground. 

After spending an hour or so watching this mass feeding ground, we all left and headed further down the road, crossing the street and heading back the other way. A Belted kingfisher was seen, as well as some black billed plovers, but nothing compared to the show we just left. Indeed, the images of all those wood storks would not leave my head for a long time to come. However, something was about to come across us that would certainly make me forget about it for a little while, in reptilian form. A baby alligator was seen floating across the water which made everyone in our class tweak out. A little further down the road: two gigantic crocodiles, both nearly 6 feet in length. We were on a birding field trip however, so not much attention could be spared for the reptiles. Instead, my attention went too the American coot above, and the purple gallinule in the distance. 

We made our way back to the vans and took a breather for a second and ate some gorp, but not much time could be spared as there were birds to be seen. Our next destination: a education right down the road. On our way over, a curious sight occurred. On the side of the road, a king rail jumped out from a cesspool and ran across the road into the forest. He quite startled us.

At the education center, we all enjoyed the indoor attractions as well as the restrooms. On the outside, a nice little habitat was situated so that many beautiful birds could be seen at close proximity. Of the ones seen, the painted bunting was my favorite. There was also a morning dove present, as well as 2 cardinals, eastern screech owl, and a blue jay. Outside of the education center, there was a pathway which led to a boardwalk going through extensive marshland which must have extended for a mile in every direction before a tree could be seen. By the time we reached this point, it was 11:55 A.M, and the temperature was 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite all of this open land though, not many birds were seen here. The ones that were: Wilson’s Plovers, Snow Egret, Black Vulture, and some Clapper rails.

As we left this part of the trip, I was wondering where we would spend the rest of our day. It was barely noon, and I knew we had half of the day ahead of us still. Not surprisingly, I was about to love every second of it. I never saw the ocean before in my entire life, let alone feel the warm waves and salty sea water. After a satisfying and prolonged lunch, I found out that our final destination was the beach, and that was literally all I could think about till we actually arrived. As soon as we did, one of the first things I was able to see was a Bald Eagle dive into the ocean for a fish- an astonishing thing for the first time viewed. As we made the long walk down the beach, most of it I spent walking through the ocean, there were a great number of birds doing the same, such as the hungry Ospreys. One of the most breathtaking moments was when a family of dolphins appeared on the horizon, obviously chasing a school of fish. I say obviously because a big group of birds were also following the same route as the dolphins, diving periodically to catch the fish, consisting of Ospreys and Brown Pelicans, and sea ducks were also in the sky. 

Along the path another interesting bird I viewed was lone sanderlings playing in the sand, running along the beach and away from incoming waves. We finally reached a long paved walkway on top of very large rocks, separating the ocean from low laying wetlands. Two different types of plovers were identified, the Black Bellied Plover and the American Golden Plover. In some of the taller grass along this pathway, we saw curious sparrows perching atop single blades of grass. The ones identified were the Nelson's Sparrow, Seaside Sparrows and Saltmarsh Sharp Sparrows.

At the end of our long trek down this walkway and more beach, we finally ended up at our final bird destination for the day and trip altogether: a resting place for many shorebirds. In the mix were Royal Terns, Caspian Terns, Sandwich Terns, and American Oyster Catchers. However, the prize bird, at least it seemed for our T.A. Susan, were the massive group of black skimmers, a majestic bird which fly very fast along the surface of the water and opens its mouth to skim the sea water for any prey that happens to cross it’s path. A long time was spent observing this interesting mix, especially through the scope.

Afterward, we walked back to the place where we entered the beach. I had been waiting all day to swim in the Atlantic Ocean; it was so big and majestic. At the age of 21 (my birthday being just days after), I finally got to experience the feel of the ocean, the roar of the waves, the being of the biggest thing on our planet. Like the trip, the experience was life changing.

Zeleski - Hope State Park 9-25-2010

We arrived for our second Ornithological field trip at Hope State Park in Zeleski, Ohio. I was surprised as I stepped out of the van into the brisk fall air- I realized I had been here before. There was an old furnace built into the hill, and I had camped here two years prior as part of a student group I was in at the time. Coincidently, this was the place I first met and got to know my good friend and fellow ornithology classmate Joshua Philips, and pondered the possibility of any meaning to us being at this same site now as soon to be federally certified wildlife biologists. We talked of our majors at the time when we first met here, and I remember then also of noticing the beautiful birds that inhabited this forest and what it would be like to one day know them all. The universe can act in odd ways sometimes.

I grabbed a pair of binoculars and begun to look around the morning skies for a sight of anything aerial.  It was 7:40 A.M. and the first thing I heard was the cry of an American Crow. The first actual identified bird too be seen was a white breasted nuthatch, as he informed us of its order: the Passeriformes. The first bird I was actually able to get a very good look at through my binoculars was the beautiful American Goldfinch, a bird very disserving of it’s name. At around 7:45 am, A loud red shouldered hawk was heard with a loud “kaww.. kaww.. kaww”. While trying to frantically locate it, a downnie woodpecker was sighted. I also saw a bird with long pointy tail and beak, however was not able to glimpse it long enough to make identification.

Dr. Miles then led us into the brush to find some more well-hidden birds, and we followed him through the path one by one, weaving through the wilderness in silence to find Aves treasure. A great many warblers were saw here, the first of which being the orange crowned warbler with its distinct markings. However, a more exciting event occurred after the warblers when Josh thought he saw the red-shouldered hawk across the field, next to the furnace itself. The class ran over too see, and although he did indeed sight the bird, it flew off just as I was able to train my binoculars upon it. No worries though, as we had a lake too see and the spectacular birds that fancy it. 

The walk to the lake was a nice one, filled with bird sightings here and there, some of which unfortunately were unidentifiable to me in their swift movement and my walking along the path. However, Dr. miles called out a Yellow Throated Vireo in the distance, and I was able to gain a very good view of it. A red bellied woodpecker was sighted by Kyle Ebenhoch, and I saw a white eyed vireo. Also sighted were:

-          Townsend Warbler with a black streak on it’s throat.

-         Magnolia warbler

-          Yellow throated warbler

-          Tufted titmouse

-          Black and white warbler

-          Gray catbird

-          Song sparrow

By this time we arrived to the lake, and the time was 9:24 A.M. A great blue heron was sighted, as well as 5-8 wood ducks over the lake, with another huge flock sighted immediately afterwards. One of the most noticeable things seen was a hugh turkey vulture soaring high in the sky, circling the lake. More birds were seen, including: 

-          Cedar wax wing

-          A flock of eastern blue birds

-          Carolina blue jay

-          Red tailed hawk

We made our way back to the vans, and once we arrived back at the field, were greeted by a park ranger. He was very interested in what we were doing, and after talking to Dr. Miles, told us of where we might be able to find some red-headed woodpeckers. Thus, we were off, our destination: the campgrounds and nature center.

There was no wind, and very sunny weather as we arrived at 10:10 A.M. to the site. Immediately, we saw the object of our desire: the superb red headed woodpecker. Not only that, but quite a few of them. Indeed, it was quite the adventure trying to spot one- our whole class was ecstatic with our binoculars skimming the skies for any movement. The sighting of one was yelled out with glee, as the whole classes clustered too see it. It started with a juvenile red headed woodpecker, and before we knew it we were in a flock with them surrounding us. Such an amazing way to end our second field experience as wildlife biologists, as ornithologists, and as nature enthusiasts.

Beginning of my Aves Fevor. 9-23-2010

I knew my senior year of college was going to be spent more outside than in. I am a wildlife freak- I grew up in nature, I breathe nature, I dream nature. The last three years of my college experience has been spent on memorizing and theorizing and calculating every part of the scientific world: physics, calculus, general chemistry, ORGANIC chemistry, general biology. I had no idea this major would be so intense and tough starting out, and after experiencing every part of the hard sciences, I know more than ever that being part of the earth and focusing every part of my creative and constructive energy on it is all I still want to do with my life. My classes this fall quarter of my senior year have me spending a lot of time outside, learning a lot about the natural world around me. One of these is my Bios 471 Ornithology class, in which I will be spending a lot of time on field trips observing the birds I am studying. My adventures on these trips will be documented here.

My first experience with conservation work began over this last summer of 2010, when I started a biological internship with Kelly Williams-Seig, a graduate student working for Dr. Miles. I had to stay in Athens, Ohio for the summer in order to study Organic Chemistry, so I was thankful to find this internship opportunity only an hour’s drive away. I worked with my fellow Wildlife Biologist student and good friend Joshua Philips- a partnership I learned a lot from due his advanced knowledge of the local tree and shrubs of south eastern Ohio.  Our task was to help Kelly with her study of birds, particularly various warblers which nested in the area. For her study, Kelly needed to know information on the nesting habits and surrounding environment in which they nested. She found and plotted many nests in three different habitats: the control, the burn, and the thin. Also, many territories of the birds were recorded around Tar Hollow. Our job was to measure out an 11M and 5M circle around these points, and count the trees within the 11M circle and all the young trees and shrubs within the 5M. This information was recorded and would hopefully reveal information on the types of environments the birds liked to nest and spend time in.

I also met and worked with a fellow student at Ohio University, an individual named Clayton Blackston who I got to know very well though walking the area and recording plants; as well as a man named Randy Lakes, who drove down every Saturday from Cincinnati in order to help Kelly with her research.  The four of us met every weekend measure the bird’s natural environment, including  tree coverage, light readings, highest canopy point, and the type of vegetation around. Whilst working over the 11 weeks, I had ample time to bird watch, and saw many of the birds whose nests we were monitoring. Clayton also would often chime in information about the birds, including what each one looked like and which birds had what call. One of my favorite calls was one in which Clayton explained how the Eastern Towhee says “Drink, your teeeeeea” in its chirping song.

The highlight of the trip came about when Kelly saw a baby bird on Saturday morning when we were about to mark and gather data on one of the nests. The bird was a hooded warbler, and it needed to be banded with a number for the study. This would be my first time witnessing bird banding done live in the field, and I was very intrigued.  She let me handle the baby bird as she gathered the equipment needed and seized out the right band for the baby bird’s leg, and I got to see such a bird up-close for the first time since I was a young kid. The Bird didn’t panic much, and it was banded and back in it’s nest within 5 minutes.