Ugly Baby

Yesterday, while on a Sunday hike in Mohican State Forest, we stumbled upon a rather unusual discovery: a juvenile Turkey Vulture. We were surprised to find this "baby" bird so late into the year.

 A quick text from my vulture-mentor, Scott Pendleton, suggested the adult vultures probably failed at their first nest, and this bird was likely the product of their second attempt for 2013.

Juvenile Turkey Vulture,  feathered but yet flightless.

The bird first made its presence known by its wild failing. It was his version of the Fosbury-flop.  Nothing pretty about it.

The youngster had launched from the ground and while unable to become airborne, it had gained enough altitude to grab onto a low hanging branch of a hemlock. From there it clawed its way -still wildly failing- to a resting spot about 15 feet off the ground.

I took a couple photos and moved back, to let the little guy regain his composure.

A section of dimly lit forest floor, within Mohican.

Thanks to the excellent program Scott Pendleton gave to the Greater Mohican Audubon Society last year, I was already on the alert when we arrived in this habitat that seemed “vulture-ish” to me.   We walked around investigating possible old nesting sites, in hollow logs and trees.

 We suspected the bird had been raised in the hollowed out base of this tree.  Several white fuzzy-fluffs of feathers were lying in the ground in the general area.  It looked though the bird had been loitering about, possibly dreaming of his future career as a free-flying recycler.

Once spooked out of its daydreaming, it obviously wanted to fly but was not quite in control of its lifting abilities.

This side view of the youngster shows the white neck-ruff and under-shot of more white juvenile fluff.

A face only a mother could love, juvenile Turkey Vulture.

Mom was probably out gathering some food for the youngster, and will be surprised to find him up here when she returns!  She shouldn't be too surprised. After all, he is getting to be a "big boy" now.  Most of his fluff has been replaced with flight feathers, and he will soon be joining the flock of his friends and family on a roadside near you.

It is a testament to Turkey Vultures that a bird species so common is rarely seen at this stage of growth.  The adults pick nesting sites in the most remote woods and rock crevices, far away from the public eye.

Those vulture parents just didn't count on cross-county hikers with an unusual interest in ugly babies. 

Grassland Birds Responding to Change.

In mid-Ohio we have seen a whole suite of birds responding to the forces of change: grassland birds.   These birds have been scattered by the relentless forward march of progress.  Their numbers have been reduced by loss of habitat, change of farming practices, global pressures, and now even a changing climate is getting in on the act. 

What's a baby Bobolink to do?

 If a love-struck pair of Bobolinks survive long enough to make it out of Argentina and fly nearly 5,000 miles to mid-Ohio in the spring, what are the chances they will find an appropriate grassland?

Ohio has lost 99.9 percent of its native prairies.

Nearly all of Ohio's grasslands have been converted to farmland, or urbanized.  Of that farmland, what percentage is suitable for grassland birds?  They can't make it in a mono-culture like corn or beans.  A hay field would work, as long as it isn't  harvested or mowed before the fledglings leave the nest in July.

Ohio farmlands in early July.

And if all that wasn't enough, grassland birds are now getting a sucker punch from climate change.  Have you noticed extreme weather being reported in the news?  How are grassland birds responding to the massive droughts in the west?  We know someone who has been pondering all those questions...

Michael Godfrey, bird videographer and his best friend Benson.

 Michael Godfrey is a fellow who has been seriously engaged in watching birds (and farms) for a long time.  When you meet him, he might tell you he is a "cattleman," but that's just the short story.  He recently created a program for the Smithsonian Conservation  Biology Institute on the particular subject at hand: grassland birds. Now he has agreed to travel to Ohio to share that program with the friends of Greater Mohican Audubon Society.

This "old boy" from Virginia can turn a phrase until it squeals for "Uncle!" He is an entertaining story-teller and a darn good author as well, with several published books to his credit.   His blog is called Birding on the Farm. You'll want to see his most recent entry, which includes excellent footage of a Mourning Warbler in full song.

Godfrey* is a deep thinker and an inquisitive guy.  He's full of questions and just has to know "why".  What birds are doing and eating should be just as important to us as their color, shape or plumage.  Behavior is key to truly learning about birds and Michael likes to look at the big picture, so to speak.

*He has also been known to carve out a tune on a  Dobro; he claims to have several outstanding warrants for that particular musical offense.

Audubon VideoGuide filmed by Michael Godfrey

Many a birder honed their knowledge with Michael's video guides. Recently, I noticed they were for sale at Maumee Bay State Park gift shop, right next to the Kaufman Field Guides.  How fitting, as these two have known each other for many years and collaborated on several projects.

I'd love to introduce you to my friend Michael. He is going to give his program on grassland birds and climate change the night before the Bobolinks at Byers Woods event. If you would like to join us for the whole weekend, drop me a line at gmasohio@gmail.com and I will send along the form for you to sign up.

Hope to see you there!

Ohio's best grassland birding-

May has swooshed by in one amazing fog!  Your blogger has traipsed all across this state and into another!  I admit, these blog posts got a bit behind as I was just running too hard and having too much fun to sit down to write.

Greg Miller birding with Ronnie and Sharron from Nova Scotia

My friends and I traveled from  Shawnee State Park (Flora-Quest) and Forest, to Maumee Bay (Biggest Week in American Birding), to Mohican State Forest, Byers Woods, Hocking Hills, and Cranberry Glade, WV.

Sharron and Ronnie- doing what birders do.

 We found nice, quiet spots off the beaten path, where we enjoyed both birds and botany throughout Ohio.

The Greater Mohican Audubon Society spotted Cerulean Warblers from the Mohican Covered Bridge.

Some of these travels were "pay back birding."   Ronnie was my birding host when I visited Nova Scotia in search of Atlantic Puffins last year.  In return, I promised to help him find Cerulean Warblers.  This photo was from the day we saw at least four Ceruleans singing their hearts out along the Clear-Fork River in Mohican.  Debt paid in FULL!

Sharron Marlor, Luisa Martinez and Ronnie D'entremont at Byers Woods, a landfill- turned bird sanctuary.

Of all our jaunts, Ronnie spent the most time working his photographic charms at Byers Woods.  He was amazed at the numbers of Bobolinks we found there.  In addition to numbers, the shear proximity to these grassland birds is a bit mind boggling.  You don't even need binoculars for the most part.

Bobolink with landfill vent in the background, photo by Ronnie D'entremont

This stunning in-flight photo of a Bobolink was taken by Ronnie.  We counted over forty Bobolinks in flight- calling across the grassland looking for love.  Most Bobolinks land in all the WRONG places- farm acreage that will be mowed or harvested before the young are able to fledge from the nests built on the ground.

Bobolink in grassland repose, photo by Cheryl Harner

By now the Bobs have found their mates, built nests on the ground and may well be incubating their eggs.  It could be tough to see much activity during this quiet period.

Welcoming sign at Byers Woods

We know this timing well, because the Greater Mohican Audubon Society hosts a festival to celebrate the Bobolinks at Byers Woods each year. Join us on June 22nd and you'll be likely to see some active Bobolinks feeding young in their nests.

Join us for a fun free event. You'll see more Bobolinks than you can shake a stick at!  We have come a long way with 6 years of conservation.  Go to the GMAS website for more details.  This is your opportunity to go on a walk with Jim McCormac, Lisa Rainsong, or take the beginner's walk with local expert Tim Leslie.  Greg Miller will also be there to help you see a Bobolink in a spotting scope.

Bobolink numbers have been in great decline all across the country.  It is not just Ohio that has seen changes in their numbers.  For more information, the University of Connecticut has a Bobolink Project for the protection of Bobolinks.  

It seems we have been leaders in conservation right here in Ashland County!  Thanks to all of their friends in Greater Mohican Audubon and the Ashland Park District, central Ohio's Bobolinks have a place to call home.

Nature- Plugged and Unplugged

This morning I learned a new plant: on Facebook.  An out of range Seaside Goldenrod was brought to my attention: on Facebook.  There is a moth site, a butterfly page and birders galore on the Internet.  Sometimes it can be a bit consuming, and yet I have learned some great things here.

Hopefully, you have learned something, sometime, from this blog.

This morning a photo of a billboard caught my attention on Facebook.  Good stuff.

If you love your children, introduce them to nature. There is nothing like touching a frog, or tasting a black raspberry.  My grandson wants to see snakes in the worst (and best) way!

Nature is science- turn their brains on.

A Halictid, or Sweat-bee on Butterfly-weed

 Nature's colors are awesome.  Look at the metallic bling on this miniature bee.

What could be cuter than a baby squirrel?

Baby Red Squirrel

Scarlett Wax-Cap mushroom

This fall I have been smitten with mushrooms and their endless shapes, colors and forms. 

You are never too old to learn.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird in my yard.

 Listen: Tune in and you will hear a hummingbird long before you see it.  They have an audible buzz.

Mallard Duck

Even the most nature-impaired of persons should be able to find and recognize a Mallard Duck.  Most ponds and backwaters in Ohio have them in good number.  What a wonderful place to start!

Computers are wonderful, but something special happens when we "go outside."  Give your family the gift that continues to "give" for their entire life: nature.  Increase your children's science aptitude, their critical thinking, and give them the best stress management tool life has to offer. 

 Unplug.

Greater Mohican Audubon Society offers nature walks twice monthly.  Hope to see you there.

Mohican and Audubon

Some of the finest hiking trails in Mohican are found within close proximity to the  scenic covered bridge which span the Clear Fork River.  Trails flank each side of the river, at each end of the bridge and a third trail leads into Hog Hollow.

Covered Bridge at Mohican State Park

The overcast weather on Saturday made for cool and comfortable hiking conditions for the Greater Mohican Audubon Society's annual walk and picnic.

We stopped to study a nest on the edge of road near the trail head, not much gets past this groups' inspection.

Louisiana Waterthrush  

Several Louisiana Waterthrushes were seen foraging about on the bank across the river.  Their numbers  suggest a very successful breeding season.

Canada Lily

 The botany along the trail was bathed in the mist of recent rain.  This Canada lily received plenty of attention from the photographers in the group.

Hapola Moth

Tiger Spiketail

A Hapola Moth was resting in plain view, but it took Bianca Davis' sharp eyes to come up with a Tiger Spiketail dragonfly. Our most coveted of dragonflies are difficult to find on shallow streams, deep in the woods; they are always a major sighting! 

Baby Wood Duck play follow the leader.

 A gathering of young Wood Ducks entertained the birders.  It was a pleasure to watch these youngsters paddling about in our scenic river.

 Picnic?  Oh yeah, the food was awesome.  This was an amazingly healthy spread!

 Dr. Scott Pendleton, DVM came from Cadiz, Ohio to give an informative program on the nesting habitats of Turkey Vultures.  His enthusiasm for the topic created a new appreciation for this commonly seen bird.  Suddenly, we all realized we knew very little about their secretive ways of nesting.

Here's a hint:  Turkey Vultures often use the base of hollowed out trees to protect their young. Scott pointed out several potential places as examples of  prime nesting locations.  His program was so good, I hate to give it all away here.   Let's say everyone present agreed it was really an educational day- especially as he shuffled about hissing and waving arms!

We'll try to get Scott on the roster for another event so even more people can be indoctrinated in the the Vulture fan club.  Thanks Scott, you do the best "baby vulture" imitation I have ever seen!!