A mid October visit was made to the Red-headed Woodpecker colony east of Harns Marsh Preserve with hopes to learn more about the behavior of the species.
The Northern Flicker above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
Bird song was my immediate enjoyment upon arriving at the site. However, bird movement was difficult to discern in the predawn light while I was setting up my gear.
The American Kestrel above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The American Kestrel above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Blue Jay above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
Another near immediate observation was the unfortunate realization that the Red-headed Woodpeckers chose not to remain present as long as I would have hoped.
The Common Grackle with prey above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Common Grackle with prey above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Common Grackle with prey above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
Although I don't know when the woodpeckers had established themselves on the Joel area property, they were likely not there for a very extended period of time.
The Common Grackle with prey above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Pileated Woodpecker above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Pileated Woodpecker above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The creation of such a favored habitat would seem to be a much longer process than the destruction of it observed at the time of my visit.
The Prairie Warbler above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Pine Warbler above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Northern Mockingbird above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
On
a previous visit here I had noted the Red-headed Woodpeckers to take up residence in no less than two cavities in the trees long deprived of greenery.
The White-winged Dove above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Gray Catbird above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Pileated Woodpecker above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
Each visit to the woodpecker site has led to personal observation of bird species not previously seen there. The highlight of the day was an infrequently seen American Kestrel.
The scene above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The scene above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Northern Cardinal above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
Destruction of the Red-headed Woodpecker habitat appeared to be conducted by a few Pileated Woodpecker in search of a meal. The
RHWO had previously been observed with
the same behavior.
The Palm Warbler above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Carolina Wren above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
After what seemed like an overly extended period of silence a wave of warblers arrived from the north. Most remained high above me while a few dropped much nearer the ground.
The Northern Parula above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Halloween Pennant dragonfly above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
The Halloween Pennant dragonfly above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
Future trips to this venue are in order to see if the Red-headed Woodpeckers return.
The dragonfly above was photographed near Harns Marsh Preserve (Joel) in October 2014.
Beautiful views of many creatures. I love the Beauty Berry Bush - I have one myself and I keep hoping that I'll see a bird take a berry - I'm starting to think that the bush is for show only......which is okay because it sure is pretty.
ReplyDeleteAs I didn't know if the berries were consumed by birds, France, I did some research on the Beautyberry Bush. An image at a link via Clemson University shows a mockingbird on the bush "surveying" the berries. Additionally, the plant is described as "a valuable wildlife food plant . . . more than 40 species of bird feed on the purple berries." -- http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/1240
DeleteWonderful collection of species, Bob -- love the Prairie Warbler shot!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun morning, Hemant. I won't make a direct drive to this venue again unless the woodpeckers are there.
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