This morning we again launched the S.S. Hoover to monitor the Prothonotary Warblers at Hoover Reservoir. The goal was to cover part of the east shore below the Sunbury Road Bridge. Our intrepid Captain Skinner sailed a steady course and the able crew, Al La Sala and myself, manned the crow’s nest. The weather proved to be much better that the local meteorologist predicted. We had comfortable temperature, gentle winds and low humidity. Both we and the birds seemed to appreciate the conditions. They came out singing their hearts out and showing off. We added 16 new territories to the list bringing the current total to 125 identified territories with 6 areas with nest boxes still to be finished. There was a nice mixture of male and female Prothonotary Warblers and I counted about 25 males and 12 females. On multiple occasions the behavior indicated that hatchlings were being feed in the cavities. 
We had an interesting experience as we checked appropriate habitat for the warblers. I changed the pitch of my pishing slightly and it seems to have had an impact on the males. They are quite territorial but little did I expect them to fly right to the boat and to within about 6 inches of me. Al was ready to defend himself when one male bee-lined to us, stopped and hovered before returning to his perch where he sang what sounded like the Buckeye victory song in                             “Prothonotarese.”  
There were many active Cliff Swallow nests under the Twin Bridges with hatchlings and what appeared to possibly be early fledglings.
Immature Double Crested Cormorants were present in moderate numbers. They know better than to head to the lake and become targets.
 
Great Blue Herons were gathering food to bring back to the heronry for the rapidly growing young.
 
Eastern Kingbirds were in excellent numbers. We watched the parents forage for food and an adult return to its nest upon which little heads popped up and jostled for position in the food line.
 
An Eastern Bluebird was observed nesting in a cavity in a dead tree a good distance from dry ground.
 
When I added up the various birds seen I was surprised to find I had 64 species for the trip. Many are common birds but still it was a decent list.
 
Chalk the trip up as a success. Great company, good birding, nice weather and Prothonotaries that like to show off. What more could I ask for.
Charlie Bombaci
Hoover Nature Preserve
 
 
A bird does not sing because it has an answer.
It sings because it has a song.




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