spring birds

On Friday, April 24, it seemed that all the migrant birds had finally arrived. Highlights since friday include worm-eating warbler, great crested flycatcher, prothonotory warbler, black throated green warbler, rose breasted grosbeak, and yellow warbler among others. We have the opportunity to see some beautiful birds, in our back yards, woods and even roadside here in Adams County. Take some time to look and listen at whats around you. If you are not familiar with some of the birds, search the internet for pictures and descriptions of what folks report here on the blog.
Its also a great time to look at the butterflies around your yard and garden. Some of the early spring species won't be here long. As spring flowers, such as Eastern Redbud, begin to fade away for the year, so do the species that nectar on them.

bird arrivals

On friday, we heard prairie warblers at a couple of spots in the Edge preserve. While they have been reported elsewhere, these were the first that I had heard this spring. Chris Bedel reported hearing an oven bird last week. A walk in the rain this morning revealed that few more of the migrant bird species have arrived! A singing hooded warbler, black and white warbler, and yellow throated vireo were the "new" birds for this spring. Oven birds were abundant.

Many of the bird migrants have arrived, may apples and morels have made it up through the leaf litter. It was reported on a list serve that Whip-poor-will had been heard calling near Peebles on Wednesday. An early morning stop along West Fork road produced Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. All signs that spring is here and will rapidly transistion into summer. Get out and enjoy while it lasts!

While you are out there, pay attention to whats happening with the birds in your area. In a short time you can learn a lot about who has territory in the area, who is nesting or who has recently fleged young already. All great information to record as part of The Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas. The Atlas effort could use your help. Additionaly, I would like to know when, and where, folks are hearing calling Whip-poor-wills AND Chuck-will's-widow. Especially the Chucks. Send us an e-mail with dates and locations of calling birds or let us know here on the Adams County notebook.

this ravine salamander is only the second one i have ever seen. today, a volunteer from procter & gamble helping to clean up lynx prairie after the winter storms turned over a small log to find this elusive species. i don't know much about it's habits, perhaps another voice can share what they know.

anglewing and serviceberry

got a snap of my first anglewing - i'm thinking , rather than ?

also the serviceberry looked wonderful against the blue sky at Lynx cemetery. an appropriate place for it to live for social and ecological reasons. it was called "service" berry because it blooms when the ground thaws and you can bury the loved ones who passed away during winter and since many cementeries are on the tops of hills, they are also on ohio shale, the acidic layer of soil the species requires! lucy