Birds on the Boardwalk

The winter chill appears to have finally departed the old-growth swamp at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest and the flora and fauna are responding!  We were out on the boardwalk looking for banded Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) and found several, including A048 pictured below.  Prothonotary Warblers are still not back in great numbers and, as in previous years, most are beginning the season higher in the canopy than can be expected once territories are established.  Additionally, Prothonotary Warblers have yet to push out from the edge of the swamp, so they are only seen between #3 and #7 (tags #114 to #133).

Prothonotary Warbler (A048) - Mark Musselman

Near #131, a large bird flew through our peripheral vision and caught our attention.  Upon inspection, an American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) had landed on a nest (circled in the image below).

Nest high in a cypress - Mark Musselman

Initially, it appeared that the crow, known to raid other birds' nests, was pecking at the chicks in the nest.  While pondering what species may have a nest like we were observing, a Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) soared overhead and a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus) called as they circled above the canopy.  We have been trying to locate the Swallow-tailed Kite nest that we are sure is nearby and the thought of the kites' chicks becoming a crow meal was unsettling.  Fortunately, after twenty minutes of observation, a murder of crows came calling, all flew off, and the heads of the two American Crow chicks popped up over the nest edge.

American Crow on nest - Mark Musselman

American Crow chicks - Mark Musselman

American Crow chicks - Mark Musselman

Just before #7 on the boardwalk and unusually low in the canopy, we encountered a Northern Parula picking meals from a spider web.

Northern Parula - Mark Musselman

Northern Parula - Mark Musselman

Northern Parula - Mark Musselman

The reptiles were also out.  Spotted Turtles, Eastern Mud Turtles, Yellow-bellied Sliders, Five-lined Skinks, Banded Water Snakes, and the attractive Eastern Cottonmouth shown below.

Eastern Cottonmouth - Mark Musselman

As the sun lowered in the sky, a shadow crossed our path and we caught a glimpse of a soaring Swallow-tailed Kite.

Swallow-tailed Kite - Mark Musselman

Obviously, the many branches and leaves between us and the kite made getting a quality image nearly impossible.  Possibly sensing this, the kite accommodated us by landing on a snag and preening.  Initially, the bird was between us and the setting sun, which allowed us to produce nothing but silhouettes.  Fortunately, the bird waited patiently as we moved around the boardwalk in order to put the sun at our back.

Swallow-tailed Kite - Mark Musselman

Swallow-tailed Kite - Mark Musselman

At long last, the kite decided to move on, but not before giving us a clear shot of it in flight.

Swallow-tailed Kite - Mark Musselman

No matter how many times we have walked the boardwalk, we always see something new, or see it some place new, or doing something new, or simply allowing us a better photographic opportunity.  Although every season has its strengths, spring definitely provides a target-rich environment!