Weiser Forest District-Catawissa Dam

Start-6:32am
End-8:15am
Condition- Clear; Cool; With a light breeze
Habitat- Marshy outskirts of a shallow reservoir pond.
As more migrants arrive in Pennsylvania I can only imagine that overwintering species are looking upon them, from their primo nesting cavities, and sneering. The risky method of winter habitation in northern climates pays dividends to those who bare the brutal conditions come spring. Chickadees are springing into action again as early rising insects present an opportunity for feasting. All the while some species are leaving the area for seemingly "greener pasture".
Facultative migrants, unlike obligate/fixed migrants and non migrating species, take a more nomadic approach to life. As the winter stores of fermenting fruit and remnant nuts run dry, facultative migrants move on to areas in which some fruits and nuts have already sprung. Migrants, both obligate and facultative, following insect activity return in spring (usually around mid April here). Waterfowl are redistributing to smaller water bodies, frozen over just weeks ago. This time of transition depends heavily on our biome's natural phenological processes. Which seem to be shifting a bit more each year.
If the Wood Duck, Black Ducks, and Mallards that I observed this morning had all met up at the Weiser after departing from Florida's Lake Okeechobee they would have over 9,000 miles combined on their wings. Just thinking about that type of travel gives me road rage:)

Julkaistu huhtikuu 5, 2021 07:35 IP. käyttäjältä