| 2008 Nesting Progress: |
Canada Geese |
The first 2008 model goslings are on the ground!The first nests hatched on May 1. The goslings should continue hatching for the next two weeks, although some of the re-nests may take another three weeks.
As of April 29, there have been 25 nests found, twelve are viewable in the public area of the Sanctuary. After the LAST egg is laid, goslings will hatch in 28 days.
Where are the goslings? For the first ten days after hatching, the goose families tend to take their brood to more secluded areas of the Sanctuary. It takes that long for the goslings to imprint on their parents, and to know which 'white fanny' to follow. Before then, if several families are together, and something scares them, all the goslings may follow one set of parents. This is what has happened when you see a famliy with 10-20 goslings. It is actually several broods which combined when the goslings were too young to distinguish their own parents from another set of parents. It is called a gang brood or creche. After about ten days, the goslings know who their parents are and the famlies come back into the public areas of the Sanctuary.
|
| Swan |
The Mute swan in the Lagoon have started incubate a clutch of 6 eggs. They should hatch on or about May 14. The Lake pair of Mutes have 6 eggs, and are likely to hatch on or about May 22nd.
The Australian Black Swan are setting on 1 egg, which will hatch on or about May 15th.
The wild pair of Trumpeters on the lake are setting on at least three eggs.
|
| Recent Sightings at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary |
General Notes: Counts as of May 5, 2008. Most of the wild migrant ducks are moving on to their spring nesting grounds.
The frogs are hopping! Spring Peepers and Chorus frogs were active, and as of April 19th, American Toads and Tree Frogs could be heard.
Wading birds -- Waterfowl -- Hawks -- Upland Game Birds -- Owls
Marsh birds -- Woodpeckers
|
|
Date first seen |
Species |
|
Notes |
| Loons |
| April 2 |
Common Loon
(Gavia immer) |
0 |
A very unusual sighting! Not seen since April 3rd |
| Cormorants |
| April 10 |
Double Crested Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax auritus) |
2 |
|
| Wading Birds |
| March 3 |
Great Blue Heron
(Ardea Herodias) |
40+ |
Birds are at the rookery.There appear to be 20 nests active at this point. |
| April 30 |
Great Egret
(Ardea alba) |
2 |
An Egret appears to be in the Heron rookery and so may be nesting! |
| Waterfowl |
| Mar 17 |
Common Merganser
(Mergus merganser) |
0 |
An unusual sighting at the Bird Sanctuary. Not seen since March 30 |
| April 2 |
Ruddy Duck
(Oxyura jamaicensis) |
15+ |
|
| Mar 18 |
Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula) |
0 |
Not since since April 1 |
| Mar 18 |
Bufflehead
(Bucephala albeola) |
5+ |
|
| All winter |
Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus) |
6+ |
One has been here all winter! New arrivals Mar. 17 |
| Mar 14 |
Wood Duck
(Aix sponsa) |
30+ |
|
| April 10 |
Gadwall
(Anas strepera) |
0 |
Not seen since April 20 |
| Mar 14 |
American Wigeon
(Anas americana) |
0 |
Not seen since April 20 |
| All winter |
Northern Shoveler
(Anas clypeata) |
5+ |
|
| April 6 |
Blue-winged Teal
(Anas discors) |
2 |
|
| April 3 |
Canvasback
(Aythya valisineria) |
15+ |
|
| Mar 17 |
Redhead
(Aythya americana) |
10+ |
|
| Mar 17 |
Ring-necked Duck
(Aytha collaris) |
0 |
Not seen since April 20 |
| Mar 17 |
Lesser Scaup
(Aythya affinis) |
30+ |
|
| Year round residents |
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos) |
50+ |
|
| Year round residents |
Black Duck
(Anas rubripes) |
12+ |
|
| Year round residents |
Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis) |
75+ |
Pairs are on scattered throughout the Sanctuary. Juveniles and unsuccessful nesting pairs will do a moult migration in mid-June to Canada |
| Year round residents |
Trumpeter Swan
(Cygnus buccinator) |
20+ |
Numbers vary, as many as 35 last winter! Most are juveniles from last year, as their parents kick them out of their nesting territories |
| Year round residents |
Mute Swan
(Cygnus olor) |
5+ |
|
| Hawks |
| Year round residents |
Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis) |
Present |
|
| Year round residents |
Coopers Hawk |
Present |
|
| |
Sharp-shinned Hawk |
1 |
Observed at bird feeder in February eating a Mourning dove |
| Vultures |
| March 23 |
Turkey Vulture
(Cathartes aura) |
5+ |
|
| Upland Game Birds |
| Year round residents |
Wild Turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo) |
10+ |
|
| Marsh Birds |
| May 5 |
American Coot
(Fulica americana) |
1 |
|
| March 10 |
Sandhill Crane
(Grus canadensis) |
2 |
Looks like the pair that nested here last year has returned to the area. Rather shy. |
| Shorebirds |
| March 22 |
Killdeer
(Charadrius vociferus) |
3 |
|
| Owls |
| Year round residents |
Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus) |
Present |
Young wild Great Horned Owls are branching and fledging right now. If you find one in the woods, LEAVE IT ALONE! |
| Year round residents |
Screech Owl
(Otus asio) |
Present |
|
| Woodpeckers |
| Year round residents |
Pileated Woodpecker
(Dryocopus pileatus) |
2 |
The careful and persistent birder will hear these shy and elusive birds before seeing them. |
