Today Wilma and Bob Seiler met me at the preserve as Wilma  wanted to see the 
nest box habitat and layout with thoughts of starting a nest  box trail near 
Finley. Although it is late in the season for Prothonotary  Warblers and we 
didn’t get started until 10:30 AM, we still had an interesting  and productive 
time.
 
We met at Mudhen Marsh and I showed them the nest boxes  installed in that 
area and the general habitat needed for Prothonotary Warblers.  To be obliging, 
we heard the first male Prothonotary Warbler singing as we  entered the area. 
Both the male and female were busy foraging and taking their  tidbits into an 
area of buttonbush and black willow where their fledglings were  most likely 
clinging to branches. We  got decent looks at this pair, but  the next five 
males we heard singing were on the outside edge of the shore  foliage and simply 
teased us. While at Mudhen Marsh we observed Green Heron  fledglings that were 
still small and coated with many downy feathers. The adults  were near by 
hunting from a fallen tree trunk. In all we saw about six adult  Green Herons 
scattered about Mudhen Marsh. Other species observed either feeding  their young 
or being chased by them were Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse,  Downy 
Woodpecker and Tree Swallow. On the south side of Mudhen we observed a  first year 
Great Blue Heron. It appeared very pale compared to the adults. The  local 
rookery is about a mile from the marsh.
 
I next took Wilma and Bob to see the nest box trail at Area N.  Numerous 
Prothonotary Warblers obliged us and made their appearances to be  appreciated. We 
constantly heard other Prothonotary Warblers singing in the back  reaches of 
the trail, but sans boots we were satisfied with those that showed  off in the 
front area. At one point there was a Red-tailed Hawk perched in their  
habitat and the Prothonotary  Warblers let it be known that they were non  too 
pleased. From various sides the males gave a strong “chip” note to the hawk  and I’
m sure the translation wouldn’t be reportable. The hawk eventually dropped  
down to catch something on the ground and left with its prize. This area also  
had an abundance of Green Herons. They definitely are not endangered at the  
preserve. While on the old roadbed we observed the Osprey with its hatchlings 
at  the nest platform. As we returned to the cars a Yellow-billed Cuckoo made 
its  appearance, eventually landing over the trial and in the open about 12 
feet  ahead of us. Considering that the objective was to observe the nest box 
trail we  got our share of extras, especially considering our late start
 
Charlie Bombaci
Hoover Nature Preserve
 
 



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