PGT Nature Garden

Northern Parula

Two more Warblers have returned to the Prairie Garden Trust. One a walk this morning I saw a Common Yellowthroat and a Northern Parula. Both nest here.

I always think of geese being by water nesting by water. I’ve just discovered that they also nest on bluffs. Last weekend I found this nest on the Savanna Bluff Overlook here at the Prairie Garden Trust. The bluff is a rocky outcrop a couple hundred feet above Hiller’s Creek.

It is hard to imagine how they can be successful in such an exposed spot. Last year I saw a Bobcat close to this spot.

Canada Geese

The geese have established their nesting territory. With this pair the male (gander) is in the front as they usually are.

I photographed these geese this morning at sunrise on a walk around Potter’s Lake. The golden color of the winter grasses reflected in the water is what caught my eye.

American Coot

After dinner tonight we took a walk around Potter’s Lake. The golden water caught my eye so I was hoping to find a bird. This morning on the same walk there were 4 Wood Ducks. This time all I found was this single Coot but it was a good looking bird.

Red-shouldered Hawk’s Nest

Yesterday afternoon I hiked over to the Eastern Valley to find the stick nest that Justin Robertson spotted. The fresh green cedar branches mean the nest is being actively used.

I went back today and a Red-shouldered Hawk flew in and landed on a branch right over my head. It peered down at me for a few seconds and then flew away.

Another bird of prey that I’ve found nesting now is a pair of American Kestrels. They’ve set up home in a cavity in a high power line pole.

Lastly an Eastern Phoebe is actively building a nest at the front door of the PGT Center.

Mallard

This morning on my walk to the PGT Center I flushed some Mallards on Beaver Lake. Three pair flew up and away but then circled back over me so I was able to shoot this drake.

I’m not sure why, but male ducks are called drakes and females are just called ducks.