I visited Area L (Dustin Road), Area M(Boardwalk) and Area N of the Hoover Nature Preserve, Galena, Delaware County,this morning to check for new activity and to do a last minute check of my nestboxes in those areas. Activity was moderate, but diverse, with a few newarrivals and signs of spring. I checked the eBird maps last night and theProthonotary Warblers have made landfall all along the Gulf coast with a fewreports as far north as South Carolina. They should reach Hoover Reservoir inless than three weeks, my official declaration that spring has arrived.
 
Area L had 8 Great Egrets along with 13 GreatBlue Herons. The cove had 20+ Double-crested Cormorants, 15 Woods Ducks, 4Hooded Mergansers, 6 Horned Grebes and many Tree Swallows.
 
At Area M, a pair of Osprey was on Platform#2, an Adult Bald Eagle did a fly over, and the water was filled with manyDouble-crested Cormorants and a raft of about 30 Lesser Scaup. Tree Swallowswere everywhere as they soared over the water.
 
Area N, as usual was the most productive ofthe three with Wood Ducks (27), Mallards, Canada Geese, American Coot (29),Pied-billed Grebe (5), Great Blue Heron (11), Great Egret (4), Cooper’s Hawk,Barred Owl, Red-headed Woodpecker (6), Pileated Woodpecker (2), Tree Swallows,Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet (7), Hermit Thrush (1),Yellow-rumped Warbler (6) and White-throated Sparrow.
 
The water levels are fairly high in mostareas which is a plus for the Prothonotary Warblers. They are my “kids” and I’vemissed them. 
 
CharlieBombaci
HooverNature Preserve

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