This afternoon Linda and I returned to Area N at the Hoover Nature Preserve to follow-up on the late Prothonotary Warbler nests I located Friday. At least two of the nests fledged during the interim. One group of fledglings was on the near side of the water and I could hear them whenever an adult went to feed them. I followed the noise to a young cottonwood tree with good brush cover and vines around it and carefully scanned to count fledglings. Well it seems mom spotted me and came in close to make sure I would get the full effect of her scolding. I’m glad I couldn't translate what she was saying. I quickly made my retreat to allow her to calm down and get back to feeding the fledglings. They will need to eat like teenage boys and build up their strength for their maiden migration flight south.



    Linda and I then watched a Red-headed Woodpecker act like a flycatcher. It would perch at the top of a dead tree until an insect flew near, then fly out and even hover to snatch the insect out of the air, then return to the perch. After multiple catches it would fly to the tree cavity to feed waiting hungry mouths, then back to the perch to hunt some more. I’ve been fortunate enough to witness this behavior occasionally. With their sharp color pattern the Red-headed Woodpeckers present quite a show when they do this. It was a first time experience for Linda and she was duly impressed by the performance.



Charlie Bombaci

Ho
over Nature Preserve

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