At least one pair of snapping turtles have already been seen mating here at the Museum and, as we’ve observed in years past, one of the big Chelydrids was seen basking on a boulder in the middle of the Wetlands soon afterwards. The second half of March is typically the last we see of our visiting mergansers, although the latest that I’ve seen them here was April 10, which gives them about another week and a half in the area.Read more
Posts tagged: #Hooded Merganser
The Harrying of the Ardeidae
For the past several years we’ve had a Great Blue Heron (GBH) in the Wetlands on nearly a daily basis. It seems to be the same blue heron, or at least it behaves in the same manner each time that I see it, it’s people shy and stays on the far side of the Wetlands when people are present. Other GBHs come into our Wetlands from time to time, I’ve seen as many as three at a time foraging amongstRead more
Herding Shiners
Back in October I expressed some concern for our local fish eating birds’ ability to see their prey due to the turbidity of the water in our Wetlands caused by the Red Swamp Crayfish. I specifically mentioned our winter resident Hooded Mergansers who prey upon the Golden Shiners that live in the Wetlands. After observing the twelve or so Hooded Mergansers that have been feeding in the Wetlands for the past month, I think it’s the fish who need beRead more
ANSWER to last QUIZ
First, the “things to consider” from the last post are explained: My tracks are on the water. The tracks, or splashes, seem to be made by something striking the surface of the water, probably feet. Many creatures live in and around water, otters, beaver, muskrats, even raccoons take a dip every now and then. They all swim but do not walk or run on top of the water, no matter how fast they run. Basilisk Lizards (some call them Jesus Lizards,Read more
Two Birds and Three Insects
On November 2, I mentioned that I had seen the first of the season Hooded Merganser. It was a single bird (alone) and appeared to be a female. On Thursday (11/10) there were three mergs in the Wetlands, a male and two females. Yesterday (11/15) there were ten birds in the water. There was also a male Mallard in the Wetlands. There’s nothing unusual about a Mallard, but we don’t get many here in our Wetlands, at least not theRead more
Mergs Arrive!!!
This morning I noticed a Hooded Merganser in the Wetlands. I only saw one bird, which was either a female or young male, but I’ll keep an eye out for others during the rest of the day today, there may have been some hidden in the willows. I’ll keep you posted.Read more
Will they stay or will they go!
The latest that I’ve observed Hooded Mergansers in the Wetlands was April 10 back in 2009 when a lone female was seen taking off from the water of the Wetlands, circled to gain altitude and left for points unknown. Typically, they leave by the last week in March. There have been 10-13 individuals in the Wetlands for the past several weeks, mostly females. There are three adult males and at least one male in immature plumage. The pair in theRead more
Female or Male?
Female Hooded Mergansers have yellowish bills which are slightly darker on the upper surface and towards the tip. They also have brown eyes. It was pointed out to me by sharp-eyed Ranger Kristin that one of our “female” Hooded Mergansers has an all dark bill. The bird in question also has bright yellow eyes. The dark bill and bright eyes of the bird in the bottom photo make it an immature male merganser, not a female. Good spot, Ranger Kristin!Read more
A Bird Walk Thru the Week
On this bright, sunny, and relatively warm day following many days of below normal temperatures, I thought it’d be nice to take a walk through the past week or so and have a look at some of the birds that frequent Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind. Take a walk. It’s good for you.Read more