Today Shaune Skinner, Ann Cramer and I launched the H.M.S. Hoover to explore several areas of the Hoover Nature Preserve for Prothonotary Warblers and what ever else Mother Nature blessed us with. We crossed our fingers as the weather predictions were not all that welcoming. The likelihood of rain was moderate to high but a little water would not deter our intrepid crew. Areas worked today included Mudhen Marsh and the surrounding islands and nearby shore, along the northwest shore of the reservoir, Area I and Little Walnut Creek.
    We started with Mudhen Marsh and the areas near to it. We were rewarded with a good number of Prothonotary Warblers. Two had adjacent territories and delighted us with their aerial maneuvers as they chased each other about. We located Prothonotary Warbler territories in both nest boxes and natural cavities. Before the day was done we would end up with 31 territories. With the high water levels at Hoover Reservoir the Prothonotaries are having a very good year. We have been monitoring 104 territories in the areas we have been covering. We have not had an opportunity to work the east shore from the Sunbury Road causeway to Area S near the dam. If the numbers are within previous ranges there should be 40 to 50 additional territories along the east shore and into Areas Q and S.
    Also observed at or near Mudhen Marsh were a pair of Osprey. A few years ago we located their natural nest. Since then storms felled the tree with the first nest. We see them with fish but we have not located the nest nest site. Even with our nest platforms the species still can construct natural nests although some are in unusual locations such as atop a high tension electric tower. In total we located four pairs today.
    We began our tally of 21 Red-headed Woodpecker nest cavities at Mudhen Marsh, adding to the list with additional nests at Area I along the northwest shore, Areas H  and I, and along Little Walnut Creek. Activity observed strongly indicate that there are hungry mouths being feed and the adults were constantly going on a foraging run, back to the nest cavity to pop their head in to calm the hungry brood and then off for another food run. All this created quite an aerial show for us as beautiful flashing white wings did their revue for us. We were privileged.
    Under the bridges we passed were multitudes of nesting Cliff Swallows. At one location we watched the adults collecting mud for their construction projects. As they gathered mud along the shore they looked like a small flock of butterflies as their wings were raised similar to those of a resting butterfly. This gave us a different vantage to watch them and appreciated their beauty. We estimated that at the four locations we observed them there were approximately 250 to 275 mud nests.
    At each area we located Yellow-billed Cuckoos. With today's individuals we have observed almost 40 Yellow-billed Cuckoos. They were very cooperative and sat still, in the open and had their pictures taken. 
    Our species count today was 55 with a nice diversity. 
    Then we looked up and saw an ugly purplish sky descending upon us. Obviously we were at the furthest point from where we launched. We crossed our fingers, aimed south and made a run for it. The clouds got nearer ad nearer  as we raced to dock before it hit. We got the boat out of the water, got in our cars and as I closed the door the rain hit with a vengeance. I could barely see as I drove home thankful that although we cut it close we beat the rain.
    A fun day with two good friends and many enjoyable observations. And I got home dry.
    Charlie Bombaci, Hover Nature Preserve
     

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