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Grasslands provide important living space
As I drive along the back roads of northern Wilkes County, I watch for birds on the power lines that parallel the road. Bluebirds are common power-line perchers, especially along these fields. Depending on the season, you might see our smallest falcon, the American Kestrel, perched on the wire in wintertime, its long tail bobbing up and down as it watches the fields for the movement of a mouse.
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REVIVED: Wetland benefits people, wildlife
When I tell people I was birding at Civitan Park, they usually respond, "Where's that?"
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Take to the sea for birds that rarely come ashore
The boat pitched and rolled in 6-foot seas under dense clouds. The bow rose on a large swell, then fell hard and a strong wind carried the splash across several birders sitting along the gunwale benches in front of the cabin. After getting soaked a couple of times, we scampered leeward where the cabin offered more protection from wind and spray. The temperature climbed to the low 70s later in the day, but at 8 a.m. it was still quite chilly -- and getting drenched seemed like a bad idea.
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Take to the sea for birds who rarely come ashore
The boat pitched and rolled in 6-foot seas under dense clouds. The bow rose on a large swell, then fell hard and a strong wind carried the splash across several birders sitting along the gunwale benches in front of the cabin. After getting soaked a couple of times, we scampered leeward where the cabin offered more protection from wind and spray. The temperature climbed to the low 70s later in the day, but at 8 a.m. it was still quite chilly -- and getting drenched seemed like a bad idea.
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Plan when planting to attract birds to yard
"I put up feeders but never get birds in my yard!"
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Green heron shows up at several sites in the Triad
Herons are among the more exotic-looking birds found in our area. With their long legs and necks, and saberlike beaks, they look quite tropical. They can often be seen along the borders of lakes, ponds and marshes, especially in summer. Eleven species are found in North Carolina and Virginia, and they are among the most commonly seen birds in coastal marshes. They include the three white egrets: great egret, snowy egret and cattle egret; the tricolored heron; the little blue heron; the yellow-crowned night heron; the black-crowned night heron; the American bittern; and the least bittern.
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A bird with regal ties makes an impression
Most everyone knows of the bright orange-and-black bird known as the Baltimore oriole. After all, it has its own baseball team and graces the cap of the players. Even if you are not a fan, the colors are so striking that, like the tanagers that Ron Morris highlighted last week, you will remember this bird once you see it.
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Sanctuaries near coastal S.C. prime for birders
Coastal North and South Carolina offer some of the best year-round birding in North America. We have places like Alligator National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. In late April, I traveled with other members of our local Audubon chapter to some other great wildlife areas -- the Audubon Center at Beidler Forest and the ACE Basin of South Carolina.
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Thrush's flutelike sound a sign of spring
The things that signal the arrival of spring differ from one person to the next. For some, it is the blooming of redbuds and dogwoods. Others find that the sounds of spring peepers and chorus frogs herald the coming of spring. For some, it is the slow, pale greening of the trees.
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A thriving population, thanks in part to man.
Bluebirds are a more common sight in Forsyth County than they were a few years ago. I am a relative newcomer to the area, and many longtime residents have pointed this out. They are thrilled to see this striking blue bird with the red-orange breast. The Audubon Christmas Count data confirm the increase, both locally and nationally.
Deal of the Day
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