Prothonotary Warblers Up High, Crayfish Down Low

Prothonotary Warblers remain higher than expected in the forest canopy at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest, but the crayfish down low in the shallow water are attracting a host of predators.  Hopefully, the wildlife will put on a show for the guests at tonight's Wine & Warblers (space still available)!

Female Prothonotary Warbler - Mark Musselman

The first female we have spotted this season was taking a bath under the rain shelter at #9 along the boardwalk.  In the image, she was preening on a low perch.

Male Prothonotary Warbler - Mark Musselman

The male Prothonotary Warbler shown in the image appears to have claimed a territory that includes the parking area, the nature center, and the low, wet area north of #1 along the boardwalk.

Barred Owl eating crayfish - Mark Musselman

Barred Owl eating crayfish - Mark Musselman

Barred Owl eating crayfish - Mark Musselman

We watched this pair of Barred Owls hunt and eat crayfish in the area around #14 along the boardwalk.  In less than 10 minutes, one adult caught and ate five crayfish!  Don't blink...the owl grabs the crayfish in its talon, moves it to its beak and then swallows it whole.  If you see a pile of crayfish parts on the boardwalk, that is likely the pellet of undigested pieces the owl coughs up some time after its meal.  If the owls are dining on small mammals, the pellet will be a combination of hair and bones.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron eating crayfish - Mark Musselman

Yellow-crowned Night Heron eating crayfish - Mark Musselman

Yellow-crowned Night Herons were also stalking crayfish.  Moving slowly, the heron uses its large, forward-facing eyes to spot the crayfish moving in the shallow water.  A rapid stab with its sturdy bill and the crayfish is caught in an inescapable vice.  Once again, don't blink as the crayfish goes straight down the gullet.

Common Snapping Turtle - Mark Musselman

Finally, we spotted this large snapper high above the water.  We're not sure what it was doing on the high perch, but it may have been ridding itself of leeches.  The leeches are the black blobs at 5 and 11 o'clock as you look at the turtle's carapace (shell).