BirdWalk Newsletter 9.24.2017

Walk Conducted by Perry Nugent Newsletter Written by Jayne J. Matney Cover Photo by Cesar Barroso

“I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority” E.B. White

Ecology/Environmental Science/Bionomics: According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, these terms are defined as 1) a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments. 2) a totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment. Photo by Jo Frkovich

In investigating an ecosystem or systems, the inquiry involves a facet of information. From soil and geological conditions and types, to air quality and temperatures, climate and geography, water availability, conditions and quality, and all of the organism types (viruses, bacteria, protozoans, algae, fungi, plants, and animals), incorporating all aspects of this study can be very overwhelming. It is a study of the “full picture”; the interaction of all of the elements in play. The true study of ecology cannot be done as a glance or simple chain of components, but rather a complex, interwoven web of factors that make the whole of a natural environment. When looking at the lives of our birds here on Magnolia Plantation, expanding your knowledge into the abiotic and biotic influences can expose you to a better understanding of what you view while walking the landscapes. For example, the type and quality of the soil governs the success and types of plants here. But in addition, the climate and

temperatures can also influence the plant growth, bloom, and production of berries. The berries and leaves themselves may be a food source for some birds. In addition, the success of these plants will impact the collection of insects found here and therefore influence the insect eating birds. This is why native plant species are highly valued. The water quality and abundancy are other factors to take into account. The swamps, lakes, and rivers will have an impact on the types and quantities of fish found; therefore, affecting the location of osprey and eagles, for example. The list can go on and on. Plants seem to be a universal factor in the success of most ecosystems. Whether you are talking about swamps, oceans, forests, rivers, deserts, tundra…….plants are the “producers” of an ecosystem. They are able to convert sunlight energy, water, minerals, and carbon dioxide into usable sources of food and nutrients for animals. The animals eating strictly plant material such as leaves, roots, stems, fruits, and nuts are called Photo above by John Nickerson “herbivores”. Like rabbits, our “dabbling ducks” are a perfect example of birds that maintain a diet of plant material. The duckweed floating on the ponds and swamp areas are abundant and supply their needs. Pheasant types of birds are also in this category of herbaceous birds. Seeing cedar waxwings attack a holly bush is not Photo above by Chuck Fuhrman infrequent during the right season. 0r, late summer/early spring may show Red-eyed Vireo converging on a magnolia tree for its abundant berries. But this may not be all of the components of the birds diet. The birds eating plant materials and other animals (which may be herbivores), are omnivores.” Examples of omnivores in the bird world would be crows, orioles, woodpeckers, robins, and even hummingbirds. These omnivores may eat berries and nectar, but may also eat bugs and/or worms for example. Some birds are considered “carnivores”, such as the osprey, because they eat fish which are eating plant or smaller fish and worms. Hawks would also be carnivores which eat rodents (an omnivore), rabbits (a herbivore), and other

small animals. If you look at our shorebirds and wading birds, fish, snakes, eels, worms, and crustaceans will be primary items on their diet.

While plants and algae are the producers of the environment, the “consumers” are the organisms that eat the producers or eat animals that eat the producers, etc. Therefore, you can have primary consumers (those that eat the plants or algae) or you can have secondary consumers and tertiary consumers which eat the other consumers. So during bird watching, an

Little Blue Heron swallowing frog Photo by Guenter Weber added bonus lies in observations made while looking around, and taking notice of all of the components which govern the property the birds choose to inhabit. Unfortunately, human are notorious for causing complications with the natural web of producers and consumers. Water pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, and destruction of habitat, are just a few

examples of our destructive means. Fortunately, Magnolia Plantation is not only a fabulous historic sight, but it is also considered a preserve for wildlife. It is a sanctuary for birds here and the bird populations change according to the migration during the seasons. However, we do keep some types of birds as residents year-round. Most of our duck species found here on the plantation are migratory.

Kingbird swallowing a dragonfly Photo by Chuck Fuhrman

Therefore, you may see them only from September to March. But the Wood Duck is a resident here and will raise their chicks in front of our eyes. So as a bird watcher, it is valuable to know the seasons and which species of birds to look for and when. Climate and weather are definite abiotic factors in the environment that will govern the “when” and where of these migratory species. By looking at the sightings recorded during the walks in the newsletters provided month-to-month, and week-to-week, you can pin down what you may hope to see here on the property and when you may see them.

“If you know wilderness the way you know love, you would be unwilling to let it go….This is the story of our past and it will be the story of our future.” Terry Tempest Williams September 24th, 2017 was an overcast, mild day with frequent breezes as the walk progressed. 6 participants went out with Ray Swagerty as their guide and counted 41 species. Highlights: 1) Blue-winged Teal showed themselves this week! An indication of fall? 2) A Black-throated Blue Warbler male was seen clearly. 3) Four American Redstart were observed along the oak grove trail and within the woods. 4) A Gray Catbird was located along the oak grove trail. Always a highlight of the bird watchers, the woodpeckers were in full force. Red-bellied, Downy, and Pileated

Woodpeckers were accounted for. The Pileated Woodpeckers were talking back-and-forth with each other in the trees. Also on the “favorite list” were the Osprey, Bald Eagle, and Red-shouldered Hawk. The Osprey was located near the field pavilion. The Bald Eagle was viewed flying over the field in front of the house while the birders were at the picnic tables near the café. Other fly-overs during the walk included Canada Geese, Laughing Gull, and a Forster’s Gull. Wood Duck were in fair numbers while the Pied-billed Grebe, Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Common Moorhen were also seen in the Ravenswood Pond and large rice impoundment. White Ibis were roosting together in the Audubon Swamp. Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture were seen by the bird watchers and later seen feasting on an armadillo carcass in the exit road ditch. Two Belted Kingfisher were found at the large rice field, as well as the Common and Boat-tailed Grackles. A dozen White-eyed Vireo, a dozen Common Yellowthroat, a dozen of Carolina Chickadee, and five Pine Warblers were in the count and scattered throughout the property. Fifteen Carolina Wren were being as noisy as they could possibly be along the trails. A Brown Thrasher, Northern Parula, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher preferred the cabin area in the trees and low shrubbery. Other birds seen on this walk were the Mourning Dove, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay, American and Fish Crow, Northern Mockingbird, and Northern Cardinal.