Purple Martins

When I was leaving Crex Meadows last Friday, I drove through Grantsburg, WI and a large, dark swallow flying overhead caught my attention--purple martins!  There were only a few flying, but I drove to the city park to see if I could get better views.

These are the purple martin houses in the park, mounted perfectly out in the open and next to a lake.  They have both a wooden house and hanging gourds on telescoping poles--a professional setup.  When I worked at the bird store in the Twin Cities, we used to tell people that you could see purple martins around April 15 (tax time) and I took these photos on April 16 so these martins were right on time.

There were only adult males flying around the house--strong, hardy birds risking an early arrival when food might be scarce to secure the best nest cavities to attract females.  I love that people provide housing for martins, but I do wonder that these birds rely too heavily on humans.  Before European settlement in North America, these birds nested communally in snags with several woodpecker holes.  Now, they nest on human made houses and gourds.  And check out that structure: a low oval shaped hole and a little deck--I'm sure this design has come about in the last 15 years as a way to keep out non native species like house sparrows and starlings but still--no tree in the wild is going to have a deck and I've yet to find a woodpecker that would make a cavity in that shape.

I checked out Birds of North America Online to see what information was available on martin populations and found this paragraph:

"Reproductive success can be increased by offering birdhouses with larger cavities (15 x 30 cm or larger), making nests harder for owls or other avian predators to reach (Wilkins 1994), or by using gourds; by installing owl guards on birdhouses (Bowditch 1990) and snake guards on poles; by reducing ectoparasite populations through application of insecticide (pieces of No-Pest Strip or 5% Sevin) to nests or through replacement of existing nesting material with fresh grass; by modifying entrance holes to exclude starlings (Keller 1995); and by installing porch dividers to prevent older nestlings from entering adjacent nests and stealing food from younger broods (Morton 1991)."

I find some of that paragraph disturbing.  I love that people are creating nesting sites for martins--that's awesome and great way to give back to what we've taken away from their habitat.  However, applying pesticides to nests?  Replace existing nesting material with fresh?  Installing porch dividers to prevent older nestlings from stealing food from younger nestlings? That is going too far.  When people interfere with a martin colony to the point of doing things beyond what the martins would be doing naturally on their own in the wild, then those birds cease to be wild birds, but become pets.  Or at the very least, "kept birds" like a set a triplets at the Playboy Mansion.  Maybe older nestlings stealing food from younger nestlings ensures the stronger martins survive (happens in the raptor world all the time).  Maybe some martins dying from insects will help sort out birds who are strong enough to survive that survive over birds too weak to tolerate blood sucking insects).  Maybe birds raised in nests that have the material replaced constantly will have a weaker immune system.   BNA pointed out that most people simply put up a house and not go to extreme measures.  But still, I'm baffled by people who do these things and think they are helping the population over all.

Although, if I'm going to argue that, should I argue about baffles placed on poles to keep out raccoons, squirrels and snakes?  Trees in the wild wouldn't have that?  And while I'm complaining about too much human interference, should I take down my bird feeders?  And now the can is open and worms are everywhere.

I posted a photo last week of one of these martins and someone said that she couldn't see the difference between purple martins and blackbirds and starlings.  So I thought I'd post a couple of photos in case others couldn't tell them apart.  Martins are very dark, so I can understand how they could resemble blackbirds to the untrained eye.  First, follow this link from Xeno-Canto to hear what purple martins sound like.

Here's a common grackle.  Note the yellow eye (martins have dark eyes).  Also, if you look at the photos above, you'll see a purple or almost indigo sheen.  The grackle has a blue sheen to its head and the body is bronze.  The bill and tail is much longer than a martin's bill and tail.  Also, if you look up at one of the martin photos above, you'll see a slight fork to the tail--grackles do not have that.  Also, grackles are not cavity nesters like martins.  They build cup nests in tree branches.  Here's what grackles sound like.

Here is a starling.  They do nest in cavities and sometimes they will even try to take over a purple martin colony.  Starlings during the breeding season have a yellow bill (in winter, it's black).  They tend to have a more greenish sheen to their feathers.  In winter, they have speckles on their feathers, but they are worn off in the breeding season.  Also, starlings can mimic...so they could sound like martin, but here are some common starling songs.

I don't think I need to post a photo of a red-winged blackbird--you don't see any patches of red on the wings of a purple martin.  If you've never visited a purple martin colony, do check out the one in Grantsburg...or find out if there are any nesting near your town.  They are a pleasant bird to watch and listen too.  I do enjoy that loud warble of a large colony.

Quick Crex Meadows Trip, Mostly Cranes

Last Friday I went up to do Duluth for a workshop.  I was only there for the day and thought that I would stop by Crex Meadows on my way home since it's somewhat on the way to the Twin Cities.  Usually April can be a great time for ducks...but the migration is a little weird this year and I think the ducks may have already moved through, I didn't see too much. It was incredibly busy while I was there, so if there were many ducks, I'm sure they were tucked in some vegetation.

But there is always something fun to be found at Crex Meadows--quite a few pairs of trumpeter swans nest there and it's a great place to watch them.  I found 2 swans with neck bands and turned the band numbers in to the BBL.  I like Crex because you have the option of walking trails or you can do the wildlife drive and if you want photos, you can use your car as a blind.  I have a window mount for my scope so it works fairly well. Birds usually don't mind cars, but they do seem to mind the things that come out of them.

There were a few ducks out and about--here's one of about a dozen blue-winged teal that were working the waters.  There were a few wood ducks and Canada geese as well.  Even though I was using my car for a blind, the wind was still harsh and it was a challenge to get clear photos.  As I eased my way down the gravel road, I thought I about calling it quits early.

I was loving the light for photos but the wind was too much and there weren't too many birds.  Then some movement in the reeds caught my eye.  The movement was in the reeds in the middle of the photo (in front of the large beaver dam).  It was a pair of sandhill cranes--do you see 'em?  I can't in this photo either, so here are some digiscoped images:

The cranes worked their shape and color to hide in the dried cattails as they tried to figure out if I was a threat to them.  The larger crane kept a good eye on me while the smaller crane continued to forage and I think work on a nest.

Even though the cranes were so close, it was still a challenge to get photos because of the tall vegetation blocking them (and the wind continually moving the old cattails).  Doh.

The cranes eventually continued their foraging and when their heads were down, I would slowly creep my car into a new position to try and get a clear shot but the above photo is one of about 500 partially blocked cranes.  Doh some more.

Even though I was getting crane blocked with my shots, I did like some of the photo and the weird colors and shapes I picked up.  I love how the eye is practically glowing orange next to that red skin patch.

Eventually, I did get a few shots of one of the cranes completely unblocked in the face--lovely sandhill crane.  It was fun to just watch a pair and not several thousand like I usually do in Nebraska.  Check out those brown feathers--those are not the color those feathers grew in, cranes rub dirt on their feathers and stain them.

Eventually the cranes came out of the vegetation and began foraging in the water and even called a few times--again strange to see two and not thousands making noise.

They were absolutely gorgeous in the late afternoon sun.

The wind was still going strong and a few times it even interfered with the cranes gracefulness.  Got to be hard to be so tall and lanky on a wind swept pool of shallow water.  I didn't get a huge variety of birds, but all in all, the stop at Crex to watch the cranes was well worth it.

I noticed a couple of osprey flying around Crex but was surprised to find that one of their nesting platforms will not be available this year.  A pair of bald eagles too it over--right out in the open.

I'll have to remember to go back during warbler season.  In the past, I have had some GREAT warbler days here.  Although, with how much the trees have leafed out already, I think actually seeing warblers will be a challenge this year.  They are going to be well hidden in the canopy when they pass through.

You Can't See Me

Sandhill cranes works his camo mojo.

Purple Martins in MN & WI

Anyone in Minnesota or Wisconsin have purple martin houses?  Are they ready?  Today I say my first of the year purple martins in Grantsburg, WI (near the Minnesota border).  You usually see the bird martins arrive around tax day (April 15) in my neck of the woods, so these large dark swallows are right on time.

Singing Chipping Sparrow

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNQYRdBCGYM[/youtube] You can hear why they call them chipping sparrows.

Brown Bird Migration

A quick public service announcement to those in Minnesota:  you might want to put your hummingbird feeders out.  This hummer migration map shows their arrival is eminent (to Mom in Indiana, your feeder should already be out).

We ended up spending another night at Mr. Neil's and leaving for home this morning.  I did not want to leave, migration is hot and heavy--I barely paid attention to the bees yesterday.  As I was packing my birding gear back in the car, I heard a newly arrived brown thrasher.  I was about to unload it for a quick video when rain began to pour as if someone turned on a faucet.  We had to leave to get Non Birding Bill into town to get to work on time and I momentarily wondered if he wished the rain into existence to keep me on schedule.

Chipping sparrows were the most vocal arrival.  There loud extended trill was all over the yard--such a clear sign of spring.  I have to say that I am totally digging eBird's BirdsEye app for the iPhone and iTouch for migration.  I did a quick check to see what birds had already been reported in and around the area with it before we headed out to Mr. Neil's and had an idea of what to expect around our bee yard.  I also could see what had not been reported yet and give myself a little goal of trying to find it.

Every bird needed to be checked when I was out yesterday.  What at first appeared to be a flock of chipping sparrows would have unexpected jems like this little field sparrow.  I was hoping to hear it sing, but it was focused on foraging and loading up for a flight further northward.  As I worked the sparrows, I heard a familiar call.  I scanned the nearby field and found:

It was the soft song of the Savannah sparrow, there were at least three of them in the field.  I tried to convince myself that I had never heard them this early but after a check of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union migration arrival dates, this bird is right on time.  Perhaps I don't recall April including 74 degree days.

Someone emailed recently asking where the hermit thrushes are.  I check the BirdsEye app and that was one of the birds that's been reported so I kept an eye out for them.  Sure enough, down by the creek was a small flock quietly foraging on the ground.  That's a bird I wish I could have heard, they have a gorgeous song but I guess I will have to wait a few weeks more.  Ah well, at least I have them as one of my ring tones on my Blackberry Manilow.

I didn't want to come back to the Cities this morning but I have lots of work to get through and I'll have more chances to see birds this weekend.  If you like, you can join me Saturday at Coon Rapids Dam at 9am for a digiscoping workshop and bird walk and there will be great birds along the Mississippi River to see.

Also, this Sunday is the Birds and Beers Woodcock Edition gathering.  Hope you can make it for some birding and birder camaraderie.  We're gonna lek out with a our woodcocks out!

Odd Broad-winged Hawk & Odd Warbler

Migration was in full spring today.  It was a brown bird explosion which makes me so happy--new sparrows everywhere and this morning I was especially pleased to notice a small but steady stream of broad-winged hawks over our bee yard.  I noticed the birds were fairly low and trying to get into thermals.  I saw them close to the 10 am mark which made me wonder if this was a small flock that roosted nearby for the night and if this was a morning lift off?

One broad-winged hawk really stood out.  Check out that right wing--it's almost as if something took a bite out of it.  It's missing a chunk of primary and secondary wing feathers.  I don't think this is a molting issue but not sure how it happend--altercation with a larger aerial predator? Attack from some South American predator over the winter?  That's a significant chunk to lose on one wing and it must affect the bird's ability to soar and dive after prey.

As I was digiscoping this bird, I thought about how migration is hard enough, but to do it with a chunk of flight feathers missing must be a real bummer.  However, the bird has made it this far, perhaps it is only going to the northern part of the state--they do breed here and it's journey may be almost over.  As always, this is a testament to a wild bird's ability to survive in nature no matter what.  Kind of puts those bad hair days into perspective.

In other interesting bird news Ryan Terrill posted a link to some photos on ID Frontiers of what appears to be a bilateral gynandromorphic black-throated blue warbler (ie: it looks male one on side, female on the other). As if warblers weren't hard enough--sheesh!  The bird was banded recently in Jamaica.  To make this even more interesting, last fall birdspot posted photos on Twitpic that she took in Central Park, NY of what appears to be a first year gynandromophic black-throated blue warbler seen here and here...is this the same bird? In both Ryan's photos and birdspot's photos the male and female parts seem to be on the same bird...

We have absolutely no way of knowing since it wasn't banded last fall, but it does bring up one intriguing possibility that it could be the same bird.  Gynandromophia is unusual but so is refinding the same bird in a different country on migration.

Some Spring Sounds

This is the type of morning a birder lives for.  The shift in bird species from migration is palpable.  Everywhere I walk I hear an old friend from summers past who are newly arrived.  Overhead I have a small and steady stream of northward broad-winged hawks (which really has me excited for my digiscoping workshop at HMANA on Friday).  I tried to get a video of the eastern bluebird male who has claimed our bluebird houses as his territory.  But his song was muted compared to the chipping sparrows, chorus frogs and red-bellied woodpeckers.  Still, a fun sample of the spring birds: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdnAOkTeEZg[/youtube]

Bluebirds Checking Our Boxes

Wow, the dawn song near the beehives is very different this morning from last week.  This time last week we had the usual titmice, chickadees, nuthatches with robins, phoebes, house finches and goldfinches singing.  This morning we have that plus solitary sandpiper, sandhill cranes, ruby-crowned kinglets, bluebirds and a peewee.  The bluebirds (above) are really going to town.  Non Birding Bill and I cleaned out the boxes last week and this morning a pair was flying back and forth between the two houses.  The male seems to like them, he just needs to get a female to agree with him.

The male sits on top of the box and alternates flipping wing in the air to get her attention.  She flies over, sits on top, perches on the box, looks inside--she needs to determine is this is the type of dark box that she can incubate in comfortably for the next few weeks.

I hope they choose one.  We get birds nesting in these boxes every year--but rarely bluebirds.  Usually chickadees or house wrens, it will be nice to get the birds the boxes were actually intended.

Typical Monday

I walked into my bedroom today to find a most unexpected sight:

A pigeon on my unmade bed!  The unmade bed was not a surprise--but the bird sure was.  It's spring so the windows are open in our apartment and I had a screen up near our bird feeders and I suspect that's where this dude came from.  I left the window open and tried to scoot it towards the wild blue yonder.  The pigeon had no desire to go.  I even gave it a light toss and the bird responded by doing a U Turn and flew right back in to my bedroom.  I even tried leaving a trail of seed out the window to encourage the bird to leave. It didn't work.

Based on the bird's reaction to me, I began to suspect that this was not a wild pigeon after all.  I had an idea of where this bird came from.  We have some neighbors who had a pigeon and I wondered if it was their bird.  I walked over and asked if their pigeon was missing.  They told me that they raised it and let it go and for some reason it keeps coming back.  I mentioned that I had a pigeon in my bedroom and suspected it was their pigeon.  They did not want it back, they were done with it.  I had a choice at this moment: give them the lecture about about why you can't raise a bird indoors, release it and expect it to know everything it needs to know about how to find food, avoid predators and interact with others of its kind, or find a permanent home for it.

Since this was a rock pigeon (formerly known as rock dove and known in many cities as a flying rat) it is legal to keep them as a pet, they are a non native species to North America, so you do not have to have state or federal permits to have one in your possession).  I could not in good conscience release this bird back outdoors, it would soon be Cooper's hawk food.  Also, it had been out the last few days and it was sad to watch it fly desperately against windows trying to get back inside to what it had grown up to know as safety and comfort.  After it was in my apartment for awhile, it noticed my cockatiel's cage and tried to fly towards it (a bird raised indoors will associate a cage with comfort and food).  I blocked the pigeon and set it on my coffee table--I wasn't sure of this bird's history and did not want to risk exposing my cockatiel to any diseases.  I went to the bathroom to wash my hands after handling the pigeon and...

...it flew in after me and lit once more upon my head.  That's it, this bird was too people friendly--I had to find it a home.  In this photo you can kind of see the bird's stunted tail.  It had been in a cage too small for it and the tail feathers were trashed.  I did the only thing a chick of the modern era could do--I put the word (and photos) out on Twitter and Facebook that I had a pigeon who needed a home.

At first, I received advice that perhaps if I sang to the pigeon a la the movie Enchanted that it might clean my apartment.  Alas, either my singing was way off or this bird had not seen the movie because no matter what I sang to it, my apartment remained in woeful disarray.  Still, it was a pleasant enough bird, not too loud and screechy like my cockatiel, it bobbed its head and liked to perch on my furniture where it could have a good look at its surroundings.  This was by far the friendliest and most interactive pigeon I have ever dealt with.  When I offered it a measuring cup filled with water, it gracefully inserted its beak and sipped it up.  It dozed on our Lazy Boy and when it was jarred awake by car alarm, it cooed quietly in disdain.  I could see why people enjoy pigeons as pets.

I offered it some seed, but most of the seed in my apartment is the type to keep pigeons from taking over my bird feeders.  I offered it some of the muffins we make for our cockatiel and it showed mild interest.  It did enjoy sunflowers out of the shell, so I called Non Birding Bill and asked him to pick up some sunflower hearts on his way home.  He was glad to do it but was quick to remind me that we did not need a pigeon in the apartment and he was right.  I did momentarily fantasize that I could turn this into my own personal education bird on urban birding programs with the National Park Service or train it to stay still for digiscoping workshops, but then thought better of it when it crapped the furniture with wanton abandon.

We did find a friend who was willing to take the pigeon--Melissa Kaercher has had turtle doves in the past and was actually looking at getting a bird.  She graciously came to our apartment and picked up the pigeon and offered it a new life with her--far better than the life I could offer in a one bedroom apartment with only Cinnamon's travel crate for shelter.   Thanks, Melissa, for taking it in...and for not minding my messy apartment when you picked it up.