Just wow. Intertwined after a midair territorial battle, two bald eagles at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland hang suspended in a tree, talons locked. Blackwater is the center of the greatest density of breeding bald eagles on the east coast and a great place to observe them. But locked together in a tree? That’s a rare sight! This time of year, eagles are setting up their territories and beginning to build nests. Sometimes, defending a territory means locking talons in aerial quarrels and refusing to let go. These birds were hanging in the trees over Wildlife Drive for hours last week before finally freeing themselves. Incredible photo courtesy of Pat McGuire.
Vibrant peach and apricot tones sure make the sunrise sweet at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, under a seemingly endless sky. As one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System, St. Marks encompasses over 68,000 acres spread out along the #GulfCoast of northwest #Florida. The refuge is home to a diverse community of plant and animal life and includes coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and estuaries of seven north Florida rivers to explore. Walking trails, fishing opportunities, birdwatching – the eagles are fun to watch this time of year– or learning about the history of the St. Marks Lighthouse gives everyone in the family something to enjoy. Photo by Steve Bauer (www.sharetheexperience.org).
Floofy bird alert! The songbird splendor is in full force right now as birds sing in their bright breeding feathers across the country. Matching a brilliant blue sky, male indigo buntings are one of the species serenading much of the Eastern United States from the treetops. Indigo buntings are expert travelers, wintering in south Florida to northern South America, but coming north to breed. They migrate their impressive 1,200 miles each way at night, using the stars as their guide. Noticing and appreciating our feathered neighbors is a perfect way to celebrate spring. What birds are you seeing? Photo by N. Lewis, National Park Service.
The mornings and evenings are alive with the songs of birds and other wildlife at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, a vital oasis in the high desert of Nevada. Located 75 miles from Reno, it’s some of the only water around, providing a refreshing marsh for a variety of birds and other wildlife. Egrets, herons, hawks, owls, waterfowl and shorebirds all thrive there and you may even see coyotes, mule deer, or pronghorn as you explore the area. Photo by Marie Nygren, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
One adorable barred owl. Check. The Great Backyard Bird Count runs from February 15 - 19 and encourages everyone to take 15 minutes in your backyard – or on public lands– and count the birds. Owls often get an early start on nesting each year and they’ll begin incubating their eggs in February. In a few short weeks we can be on the lookout for chicks like this one. Photo by Mark Danaher, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
National Wildlife Refuge Week is a great time to remind everyone that refuges are some of the best places for birdwatching. One of the most thrilling birds to spot is the bald eagle. A majestic symbol of our nation, bald eagles are found in every state except Hawaii. Males and females work together to build large nests, and you’ll often see them hunting over open fields and water. This one just left its perch at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland. Photo by Curtis Gibbens (www.sharetheexperience.org).
On this date in 1993, Congress established Idaho’s Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area – home to the greatest concentration of nesting birds of prey in North America, and perhaps, the world. In 2009, it was renamed to honor a long-time advocate for birds of prey and a man who dedicated his life to protecting the area: Morley Nelson. In the 1940s Nelson began to document birds of prey along the Snake River canyon on film, influencing public opinion about the majesty and importance of these species. Nelson was also instrumental in convincing Secretary of the Interior Rogers Morton to give the area special protection in 1971. Here cliffs towering up to 700 feet above the Snake River provide countless ledges, cracks and crevices for nesting raptors. These magnificent birds launch from their cliffside aeries to soar and hunt on warm air currents rising from the canyon floor. Today, as we celebrate 25 years of protecting Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, we also honor the man who was critical to ensuring future generations can hear the call of raptors as they swoop for their prey. Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management, @mypubliclands
Located in the gorgeous Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge serves as an important resting, feeding and nesting ground for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway. With almost 10,000 acres to explore, visitors can enjoy bird watching, fishing, boating, hiking and photography while learning about wildlife and the environment. Photo by Doug Racine, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
These three adorable screech owls are rehab birds because of trauma to their eyes, which is an important part of their ability to hunt prey like mice, insects and lizards. The owls – an Eastern screech owl on the left and two Western screech owls on the right – were part of Bird Fest 2015 at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, a day to celebrate and educate the public about birds. Wings of Discovery, a rehabilitation center nearby the park in Agoura Hills, California, is caring for these owls. Photo by National Park Service. 🐦
Something to be thankful for - Wisdom has returned to Midway Atoll!
A big thanks to Kiah Walker, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial volunteer, for capturing this photo of Wisdom and her mate!
“In the face of dramatic seabird population decreases worldwide –70% drop since the 1950’s when Wisdom was first banded–Wisdom has become a symbol of hope and inspiration,” said Refuge Manager, Dan Clark.” We are a part of the fate of Wisdom and it is gratifying to see her return because of the decades of hard work conducted to manage and protect albatross nesting habitat.”
“Wisdom left soon after mating but we expect her back any day now to lay her egg,” noted Deputy Refuge Manager, Bret Wolfe. “It is very humbling to think that she has been visiting Midway for at least 64 years. Navy sailors and their families likely walked by her not knowing she could possibly be rearing a chick over 50 years later. She represents a connection to Midway’s past as well as embodying our hope for the future.”
Wisdom was first banded in 1956. And because Laysan albatross do not return to breed until they are at least five years old, it is estimated Wisdom is at least 64 years old, but she could be older. Many birds lose their bands before they can be replaced. Wisdom’s bands, however, were continuously replaced and because of meticulous record keeping associated with bird banding, we can verify she is the same bird first banded by noted author and Service ornithologist, Chandler Robbins. Biologists may find even older birds as old worn bands continue to be routinely replaced.
Although Laysan albatrosses typically mate for life, Wisdom has likely had more than one mate and has raised as many as 36 chicks. Laying only one egg per year, a breeding albatross and their mate will spend approximately six months rearing and feeding their young. When not tending to their chicks, albatross forage hundreds of miles out at sea periodically returning with meals of squid or flying fish eggs. Wisdom has likely clocked over six million ocean miles of flight time.
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