Oatka Creek Park • May 15

Hairy Woodpecker. After this day I decided to not take any more pictures of the Hairy Woodpeckers out defending their nests, even though they were providing some pretty attractive photo opportunities. I would just glide through their areas on the trails, note the sounds of the nestlings and continue on. The second Hairy nest I found this season was silent for the first time today. So, it looks like both broods have successfully fledged. Now, if I can get a picture of a Hairy fledgling ...

Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Though migration continues throughout May in our area with large numbers of migrating individuals still being banded by the BBBO banding station up on Lake Ontario, by the middle of May migration waves are pretty much done in Oatka. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks that were easy to hear and find two weeks ago when this picture was taken, are now rapidly becoming scarce as they begin nesting.

Star-of-Bethlehem. These flowers can't seem to catch a break in Oatka. This flower and its associated group were consumed by the rapid emergence and growth of Stinging Nettles along the creek. However, the Stars come up every year in the same location and I can see pollen sprinkled about in the picture. So, perhaps they accomplished their task and all is well for the next season. There is a second group of these flowers along Old Burell Road Trail that were whacked by the park trail lawn mower. Again, however, they return each year at that spot, so perhaps the wildflowers win in the long run!

Indigo Bunting. These birds still seem to be sorting out the details of territories and mates as regularity in numbers, locations, and appearances indicative of nesting isn't evident yet this season. 

Monarchs. I found a Monarch caterpillar on a milkweed today! I'll save that story for the pictures in a future report.

Baltimore Oriole. Now that these birds are nesting, their number have stabilized and their territories fairly easy to define. This is an oriole from either the Black Billed Cuckoo field territory or the Bluebird Trail territory. There is also a Trout Run Trail territory near the creek. There may be a fourth territory along Brown Creeper Trail, but that area is so birdy (and quite inaccessible off trail due to thick brambles) that I am focusing on other species and haven't made such a thorough oriole evaluation there. 

Oatka Creek Park • May 14

Monarch. These butterflies have been back for a week or so when this picture was taken. I'll be watching the milkweeds for caterpillars.

American Goldfinch

Red Squirrel. This is a bittersweet tale, though simply the circle of life. This baby squirrel could fit in my outstretched hand, tail and all. It is also blind in its left eye. A sibling was with it when I turned the corner along the trail and found them both. The other baby squirrel immediately left, but this one couldn't see me and decided to stay and investigate.

Red Squirrel. It's right eye, seen here, is fine, but it's actions suggested it was exploring the world more more by scent and feel than by seeing or even hearing. None of this bodes well for its ability to survive longterm.

Red Squirrel. So, how does it decide to examine me?

Red Squirrel. It climbed my boot halfway, sniffing intensely as it went. Then it decided to retreat.

Red Squirrel. It then made its way away, though without any sense of urgency. I found the same squirrel again the following day at the same location. At that time it looked sickly and like it wouldn't last another twenty-four hours. Perhaps all for the best. When you are out in nature ever day, you inevitably come across a number of such episodes. I usually don't report them, but this one was more personal than most.

Blue-winged Warbler

Hairy Woodpecker. Now, on the other side of the circle of life, this female Hairy Woodpecker was having an absolute FIT and doing everything it could do to annoy me enough to leave the area. It would take a few more days before I would realize I was walking mere feet away from her nest with nestling calling loudly! (Her calls drowned out the sound of nestlings unless I knew to listen for them between her chattering cries.)

Herb Robert. To make matters worse, I found a newly blooming Herb Robert near her nest. I was trying to get a quick picture before leaving, but momma's scolding was becoming maddening, so I got an okay picture and left. One field guide says this flower is named for Robin Hood.

Wild Geranium

Dame's Rocket

Downy Woodpecker

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Star-of-Bethlehem

Song Sparrow

Jack-in-the-pulpit. I found this lone Jack-in-the-pulpit along the creekside! However, it was quickly smothered by the rapidly growing surrounding Stinging Nettles.

Tree Swallow. And that just about says it all!

Baltimore Oriole. This female built a nest near the bluebird nesting boxes. I found the nest a week or so after this picture was taken and will have pictures of it in the future.

Yellow Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler. This bird is also carrying nesting material, so we have indications of this species nesting in the park!

Oatka Creek Park • May 13

Common Yellowthroat. These skulking birds are very hard to spot, though extremely easy to hear. This opening encounter would set the tone for a hike of many unexpected sightings!

Scarlet Tanager. These birds nest in the park, so I will at least hear them on a daily basis until the fall. However, they prefer to stay hidden in the upper forest canopy, so seeing them is an entirely different matter. Any day you see a Scarlet Tanager is a good day!

Scarlet Tanager

Cedar Waxwing. These birds are starting to trickle into the park, mostly by the creek. Waxwings nest in late summer.

Baltimore Oriole. This is a breeding female as indicated by the lack of the solid black hood of a breeding male. As with most species, females tend to be seen far less often than the males.

Baltimore Oriole. This picture was taken exactly two weeks ago as I write this, when ...

Baltimore Oriole. The female is harvesting nesting material. Orioles are master weavers and their hanging basket nests are engineering marvels. It takes about a week for an oriole to construct its nest.

Baltimore Oriole. I have a general idea where this bird's nest probably is. I have found another working Baltimore Oriole nest by the bluebird nesting boxes.

Great Crested Flycatcher. Another easy to hear and hard to spot bird!

Great Crested Flycatcher

Yellow Warbler. Here's another thing I don't see very often: a Yellow Warbler bathing in a rain puddle in the middle of the trail.

Yellow Warbler. This is about the most pronounced I've ever seen the red breast streaks of a male Yellow Warbler.

Red-eyed Vireo. Why stop now? Here's another rare sight of an easy to hear and very hard to spot bird. Red-eyed Vireos (their eyes shine bright red in direct sunlight which was nowhere to be had on this day) prefer the upper forest canopy and are almost always moving.

Red-eyed Vireo. Though this particular bird was also moving around, it stayed surprisingly low, close-by, and right on the trail for quite a long while.

Meadow Salsify. This is a very common wildflower. It is also known as Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon because they tend to only be open in the morning.

Tree Swallow

American Lady. This butterfly's wings are pretty worn. I no longer notice these butterflies about. The field guide suggests they produce 2-3 broods a year, so perhaps this is the breeding pause in sightings.

Wood Thrush. I was very pleased with this encounter! Wood Thrushes are very skittish birds and even if you can approach slowly and stand motionless for pictures, once you start moving again to leave, no matter how carefully, it can flush the bird. In this case I was able to approach, get pictures, and leave without the bird flying off. It just kept singing its magical song, even though it was fully aware of my presence. Perfect end to a remarkable outing!

Oatka Creek Park • May 12

Baltimore Oriole. With more and more of the leaves opening, the harder and harder it is getting to see the birds in the clear.

Eastern Towhee. Fortunately, some birds want to be seen at least some of the time.

Scarlet Tanager. Fortunately, these birds are very vocal right now, so finding their general location is easy. Being able to peek between the leaves to actually see them is another matter.

Scarlet Tanager

American Goldfinch making the most of what camouflage it has!

Eastern Towhee

Yellow Warbler

Eastern Phoebe. The yellow on the belly is pronounced in this picture, though it is almost never noticed in the field until fall.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. These butterflies are now ubiquitous in the park, and a good thing at that as they always make an interesting photo study!

Mallard

Question Mark. This individual's wings are beginning to look a bit worn. Note its tongue!

Baltimore Oriole

Tree Swallow