My official beginning of Spring occurred Today as I got my FOY Prothonotary Warbler. In all I observed 4 this morning along with Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler and Yellow-rumped Warblers. This was a bonus as my real reason for being in Area N of the Hoover Nature Preserve at Galena, Ohio was to participate in an organized trash removal day. I and some hardy friends policed the trash left there by others and trash pushed down the Big Walnut Watershed by the high waters of this spring. The area is, at least for now, looking much better.
The harsh winter has damaged of destroyed many trees and nest boxes. The extraordinarily high water, maybe the highest I have seen it at this date, and will prevent me from repairing or replacing the lost boxes before the Prothonotaries begin to nest. The total number of nest boxes I have in place is the only reason this is not a complete disaster. There are still over 200 nest boxes  awaiting the yellow swamp warblers when they all arrive. I did watch a male inspecting a couple of nest boxes this morning. I'll keep an eye on the boxes to determine if he is creating false nests in them.
Charlie BombaciHoover Nature Preserve


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