Today I had the pleasure of hosting some delightful members of the Canton Audubon Society at the Hoover Nature Preserve. Their main goal was to see some of the resident Prothonotary Warblers. The Prothonotary Warblers didn't let me down as they came out to play for our visitors. 

We began at the boardwalk in Area M. Multiple Prothonotary Warblers were observed and more heard singing in the thicker flora. Several of the PROWs seen here were birds we had banded during the previous several years. Several PROWs obliged our visitors by coming out for picture taking. Actually a couple of them seemed to be complete hams. One used the "want to see me" approach and it alit on the boardwalk railing. Not to subtle but it worked (raise camera and click here). The boardwalk also produced nice views of the resident Osprey as they soared overhead, dove to catch fish, chase each other and settle low on the nest.  The foliage along the boardwalk also produce a very cooperative Blackpoll Warbler. 

Next on the agenda we ventured into Area N. Activity along the old roadbed is generally decent although I favor the back 40 where boots are a necessity. In the vernal pool near the entrance we stop to watch a male PROW flit about near the nest cavity. Later when we were on our way out we ran into several of Dr. Chritopher Tonra's students as they were monitoring nest sites. The nest we initially viewed has 5 eggs. As we proceeded further along the Area N trail we were please to catch the resident PROWs as they put on a show for us. They sang from perches, gathered moss from downed trees for their nest boxes, visited and entered multiple nest boxes, and flew around the edges of their territories. In the sunlight their colors were breathtaking. More picture taking.

Area N had a bonus act this morning, Red-headed Woodpeckers. They seemed to be everywhere. With all the movement it was difficult to get an accurate count but there were somewhere between 6 to 10 Red-headed Woodpeckers buzzing around us. Some landed extremely close to the group and once again cameras went into action. Other species tried getting into the act including Baltimore Orioles. Eastern Kingbirds, Warbling Vireos and a pair of Osprey building a new nest at the top of a dead tree. 

Off to lunch, Belgian Waffles and Jungle Fowl at the Galena Diner. Hummingbird Cake anyone?

After lunch I took the group to Old Sunbury Road. More PROWs, more pictures. We took time to stop and watch the Bald Eagle nest. The youngsters are getting big. One was at the edge of the nest flapping it's wings to build up muscles for that eventual first flight. It is still at the learner's permit stage. We also observed some Cedar Waxwings and a Philadelphia Vireo. Of course the regular residents were about but got lost in the enjoyment of the target species, PROWs.  But every birding session has to end and it was time for my visitors to head for home. They were great company and I hope they find the time to visit again in the future. 

Charlie BombaciHoover Nature Preserve


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