This morning we launched the H.M.S. Hoover on its maiden voyage of 2014. We monitored along the northeast shore and up  Big Walnut Creek with my main objective being to census the Prothonotary Warbler activity, however, the rest of our group of four free spirits were game for any and every bird that crossed our path.

The Prothonotary Warblers were very active and we heard the males singing at most locations. We tallied 31 Prothonotaries from the boat and I had an additional 4 at Oxbow Road prior to setting out. I was very pleased to see pairs of Prothonotary Warblers using the newest nest boxes I put up along the shore of Big Walnut Creek. The behavior indicated that the season's first hatchlings have arrived. Both parents were busy making continuous trips to and from the nest boxes with caterpillars and other insects. If this pace of activity holds for the other areas where the birds nest at Hoover Reservoir. The water level at the reservoir is much higher than normal which works well for the Prothonotaries but makes monitoring difficult for me. Call it water too high or boots too short, making the boat very helpful.

The Bald Eagles are doing well at their nest. They are feeding at least two young, possibly a third. They were looking very majestic and proud.

The Osprey are on nest at both platforms, with the mate perched close by between jaunts to catch dinner for the kids.

Other activity was pretty good today. We had a nice mix of species and good look at most of the birds.

Double Crested Cormorants were abundant. Almost entirely immatures with their white breasts. Several trees were loaded with cormorants.

There were many Great Blue Herons which is not surprising as there is a rookery nearby and a few Green Herons were lurking about.

We saw a surprisingly high number of Wood Ducks. The males are quite handsome and look like painted tole ware with their splendid colors.

We observed several birds of prey overhead including a soaring Bald eagle, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Sharp-shined Hawk and Broad-winged Hawk.

A few American Coots were sulking in the button bushes and we observed a surprisingly high 8 Spotted Sandpipers.

I located a Belted Kingfisher burrow on the bank of Big Walnut Creek.

Woodpeckers were well represented with Red-headed, Red-bellied, Downy, Pileated and Northern Flickers. No hairy Woodpeckers was a minor surprise. We located numerous Red-headed Woodpeckers, many at their nest sites. I have identified 15 different Red-headed Woodpecker nest sites within the Hoover Nature Preserve.

Flycatchers were represented by Pewee, Phoebe, Great Crested and Eastern Kingbirds.

Vireos included White-eyed, Red-eyed, Warbling and Yellow-throated. The usual shy White-eyed Vireo was anything but today as it came out and sang for us then presented himself in the sunshine.

We spotted a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher sitting on its nest. This is likely the only time they are not flitting around like an expectant father.

A Swainson's Thrush was observed foraging on a deeply sloped bank of Big Walnut Creek just outside Galena Village. Not where I'm use to finding the species.

Gray Catbirds were common and noisy as ever.

Cedar Waxwings seemed to be present in most locations. Usually we spotted small flocks in trees with its fruit.

Warblers included Northern Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Yellow-rumped, Yellow-throated, Black-and-White, American Redstart, Ovenbird and the Prothonotaries.

Baltimore Orioles were common.


Charlie Bombaci
Hoover Nature Preserve

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