Category: Northern Mockingbird

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Scenes from a Managed Grassland Ecosystem

Pretty pictures…

Veery
Photographing Neotropical migrants as they arrive to nest in our local forests can be frustrating under closed canopies and diffused light conditions.  We instead decided to focus our efforts and lenses on the grassland species at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area where, earlier this week, several prescribed fire burns were wrapping up the spring treatments for 2026.
Warm-season grassland
Managed warm-season grassland habitat at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Tree Swallow
Already tending nests containing eggs and young, Tree Swallows are scattered around the refuge’s grasslands to welcome newly arriving migrants, and human visitors!
Grasshopper Sparrow
Middle Creek is probably the best place in the lower Susquehanna valley to see ground-nesting Grasshopper Sparrows.
Grasshopper Sparrow
To attract a mate and establish a defendable territory, the males are singing their buzzy, insect-like songs from atop roadside fence posts.
Grasshopper Sparrow
The songs persist as the male moves from perch to perch around a potential breeding site.
Grasshopper Sparrow and Tree Swallow
It’s a behavior that occasionally puts the newcomer Grasshopper Sparrow in conflict with a well-ensconced Tree Swallow guarding its nest box.
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Bluebirds squeeze in among the Tree Swallows to find a vacant nest box within which they can raise their young.
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrows may be present year-round in grasslands with interspersed growth of early successional shrubs and briars, however the populations at a given location changes as birds migrate in and out of the area seasonally.  Those individuals observed nesting here in the spring and summer are not usually the same birds seen during the late fall and winter.
Savannah Sparrow
As a species, the Savannah Sparrow, like the Song Sparrow, may be represented in the grasslands throughout the year, though the individuals vary with the changing seasons. Unlike the Song Sparrow which nests in shrubs, the Savannah Sparrow nests on the ground among thick grasses.
American Goldfinch
Still munching on the seeds of last year’s wildflowers, American Goldfinches are pairing up around the grasslands waiting for thistle down and other fibers to be available for nest construction.  They will then build a small cup within the upper limbs of a small to medium-sized tree to shelter their eggs and nestlings.
Common Yellowthroat
The Common Yellowthroat, one of our Neotropical warblers, will reproduce in grasslands with scattered early successional thorny shrubs to afford a safe place to construct a nest. The males sing almost incessantly from the time they arrive in late April and early May until sometime in July, or even later.
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Kingbirds are arriving from tropical wintering grounds to nest in grasslands and pastures throughout the lower Susquehanna region.  They are a tyrant flycatcher that will ambush insects from a perch atop a tree, shrub, or tuft of tall grass.
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbirds are considered a resident species, though there may be some southward movement during severe winters when foods such as berries become scarce. At Middle Creek, some of these evacuees have returned to nest along the interface zone between the grassland and early successional shrub habitats.
Horned Lark
Nesting Horned Larks apparently take advantage of the interface between the managed grasslands and nearly bare soils in spring-planted croplands at Middle Creek. They may be one of the few, possibly the only, species of bird life to take advantage of no-till farming for nesting on the ground.
Red-winged Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbirds not only construct nests in cattails and other marsh growth, but in dense grasses and shrubs in and near grasslands and pastures. The males are easily seen displaying their plumage as they sing from a small tree, shrub, or a cattail seed spike.
Female Red-winged Blackbird
Less frequently seen is the female Red-winged Blackbird.  She spends the majority of her time in the nest, but will periodically come out to join the ruckus when an intruder is being scolded into leaving the premises.
Eastern Meadowlark
Another member of the blackbird family is the Eastern Meadowlark.  It too is an energetic singer during the breeding season.  Meadowlarks build their nests on the ground, often in pastures of cool-season grasses where harvests prior to August are fatal to eggs and young.  Middle Creek’s managers delay harvests to allow the birds enough time to complete their reproduction cycle.
Bobolink
Another blackbird is the Bobolink, an obligate grassland specialist and a Neotropical migrant.  One of its few uses for trees and shrubs is as a place to burst into display and song, though it will also perform these rituals on the wing and among the grass.
Bobolink
A male Bobolink singing and displaying from a perch.
Bobolinks
As the males arrive, competition for suitable nesting sites among the grasses becomes intense, even before a female is anywhere in sight.
Bobolinks
We saw as many as five males at a time clustered into this one tuft of thorny twigs to take turns chattering and showing their wares to one another.
Bobolink
A territorial male Bobolink at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.  Delayed mowing allows cool-season grasslands to provide nesting sites for this species too.
Baltimore Oriole
Did you know the Baltimore Oriole is a blackbird?  Well, it is.
Baltimore Oriole
When surrounded by acres of grasslands for collecting insects, groves of mature shade trees including oaks, walnuts, sycamores, and elms provide excellent nesting sites for Baltimore Orioles.
Baltimore Orioles
Competition for these ideal sites can get quite animated.
Baltimore Oriole
Fights like this one between two second-year males can become vicious,…
Baltimore Orioles
…leaving combatants rolling on the ground in their fury,…
Baltimore Orioles
…at least until the more-experienced adult males who’ve been fighting over the place have had enough…
Baltimore Orioles
…and decide to send the clumsy, younger males packing.
Western Cattle Egrets
During our visit to the Middle Creek grasslands earlier this week, we were afforded an encounter with some unusual grassland birds, Western Cattle Egrets.  To the delight of birders who never got to enjoy the abundance of this species on the lower Susquehanna during the 1970s and early 1980s, these birds have been a popular attraction as they’ve lingered around the refuge for a couple of weeks now.
Western Cattle Egrets and Geese
It’s an unusual experience, watching Western Cattle Egrets feeding in a field of cultivated cool-season grasses alongside Snow Geese, though they certainly aren’t looking for the same thing.

We’ll have more on the Western Cattle Egrets and other interesting migrants at Middle Creek in an upcoming post.  Check back soon!

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An Intermission Between Deep Freezes

With another round of single-digit and possibly sub-zero temperatures on the way, birds and other wildlife are taking advantage of a break in the extreme conditions to re-energize.  During the past day, these species were among those attracted to the food and cover provided by the habitat plantings in the susquehannawildlife.net headquarters garden…

Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Juncos, one of our numerous species of native sparrows, are sometimes called “snowbirds”, and for good reason.  They spend the majority of their time on the ground searching for seeds and are particularly noticeable when the landscape is blanketed in white.
Dark-eyed Junco
Juncos are seldom seen far from trees, shrubs, and brushy patches of herbaceous growth where they can find both the foods and the protective cover they need to survive the cold.
Northern Mockingbird
To make it through the winter, a Northern Mockingbird is again defending the garden’s supply of fruits adorning Common Winterberry, American Holly, and Eastern Red Cedar.  Robins, starlings, waxwings, and bluebirds must be stealthy and quick if they want to grab a snack before the ever-alert mockingbird aggressively moves them on their way.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
As they mature, our plantings of junipers, hollies, Eastern Hemlock, Norway Spruce, and Eastern White Pine offer the environs needed by evergreen-loving species like this Red-breasted Nuthatch to remain as winter residents instead of just seasonal transients. 
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Birds Beginning to Wander

Since Tuesday’s  snow storm, the susquehannawiildlife.net headquarters garden continues to bustle with bird activity.

Northern Mockingbird
Our Northern Mockingbird remains ever vigilant in its attempts to discourage American Robins and Eastern Bluebirds from feeding on the berry crop.  Slowly, the latter species are winning the contest.
Carolina Chickadee feeding on sunflower seed.
A Carolina Chickadee carefully dissects a sunflower seed to snack on the nutritious kernel.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
This beauty shows us that yes, Red-bellied Woodpeckers do indeed have red bellies.
American Robin eating Common Winterberry fruits.
Getting energized for a big move north, the robins keep on gulping berries.

Today, there arrived three species of birds we haven’t seen here since autumn.  These birds are, at the very least, beginning to wander in search of food.  Then too, these may be individuals creeping slowly north to secure an advantage over later migrants by being the first to establish territories on the most favorable nesting grounds.

Song Sparrow
This Song Sparrow is the first we’ve seen in the garden since sometime last fall.  Is it working its way north or did it just come to town in search of food?
Northern Flicker
Northern Flickers regularly spend the winter in small numbers in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed.  This is the first one we’ve had visit the garden since late last autumn.
Fish Crows feeding on Eastern Red Cedar berries.
Fish Crows, seen here feeding on the fruits adorning an Eastern Red Cedar, have returned after being absent in our neighborhood since November.  In coming weeks, both they and the more numerous American Crows that remained through winter will begin constructing nests in nearby trees.

They say the early bird gets the worm.  More importantly, it gets the most favorable nesting spot.  What does the early birder get?  He or she gets out of the house and enjoys the action as winter dissolves into the miracle of spring.  Do make time to go afield and marvel a bit, won’t you?  See you there!

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Robins in a Snowstorm

In mid-February each year, large numbers of American Robins descend upon the susquehannawildlife.net headquarters garden to feast on the ripe fruits that adorn several species of our native shrubs and trees.  This morning’s wet snowfall provided the needed motivation for these birds and others to make today the big day for the annual feeding frenzy.

American Robins
Early this morning, branches and limbs in the headquarters garden were loaded with clinging snow and more than one hundred American Robins.
American Robin
To have first grabs at suitable nesting sites, early American Robins are currently beginning to edge their way north.  Spring migration is underway.
American Robin feeding on Common Winterberry
The fruits of Common Winterberry are always a favorite of visiting robins.
Northern Mockingbird
After selfishly guarding the garden’s berries through the entire season, our Northern Mockingbird finds chasing more than one hundred robins away from its food supply an impossible task.
American Robin
This and other visiting robins will strip the winterberry, cedar, American Holly, and other fruit-producing shrubs and trees within a day or two.  To survive what remains of the season, our resident mockingbird will have to look elsewhere for provisions.
American Robin
Another American Robin devouring winterberry fruit.
American Robin
In addition to robins, there were, of course, other guests in the garden refuge on this snowy day.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
This Red-bellied Woodpecker tries to make sense of all the commotion.
Carolina Chickadee
A pair of Carolina Chickadees established a family in the garden during the spring of 2023.  At least five of the birds still stop by on a daily basis.
American Goldfinches
As spring nears, our American Goldfinches are beginning to show a hint of their bright breeding colors.
Blue Jay
A Blue Jay peeks out from the cover of the Eastern Hemlocks.
Carolina Wren
Our Carolina Wrens sing throughout the winter,…
Mourning Dove
…but today we noticed that this Mourning Dove has begun softly cooing to charm a mate…
House Finch
…and the male House Finches are warbling away with the sounds of spring.
Female Eastern Bluebird
With the local mockingbird busily harassing robins, our Eastern Bluebirds went unmolested long enough to stop by…
Bluebird Feeder
…for some raisins from their enclosed feeder.
Male Eastern Bluebird
A showy male Eastern Bluebird on a snowy day in the garden.  Spring must be just around the corner!
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Birds of the Sunny Grasslands

With the earth at perihelion (its closest approach to the sun) and with our home star just 27 degrees above the horizon at midday, bright low-angle light offered the perfect opportunity for doing some wildlife photography today.  We visited a couple of grasslands managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to see what we could find…

Grasslands and Hedgerows
On this State Game Lands parcel, prescribed fire is used to maintain a mix of grasslands and brushy early successional growth.  In nearby areas, both controlled fire and mechanical cutting are used to remove invasive species from hedgerows and the understory of woodlots.  Fire tolerant native species then have an opportunity to recolonize the forest and improve wildlife habitat.  This management method also reduces the fuel load in areas with the potential for uncontrolled wildfires.
The sun-dried fruits of a Common Persimmon tree found growing in a hedgerow.
The sun-dried fruits of a native Common Persimmon tree found growing in a hedgerow.
Savanna-like Grasslands
Just one year ago, mechanical removal of invasive trees and shrubs (including Multiflora Rose) on this State Game Land was followed by a prescribed fire to create this savanna-like grassland.
Song Sparrow
Hundreds of Song Sparrows were found in the grasses and thickets at both locations.
White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrows were also abundant, but prefer the tangles and shrubs of the thickets.
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbirds were vigilantly guarding winter supplies of berries in the woodlots and hedgerows.
Swamp Sparrow
In grasses and tangles on wetter ground, about a dozen Swamp Sparrows were discovered.
White-crowned Sparrow
The adult White-crowned Sparrow is always a welcome find.
White-crowned Sparrow
And seeing plenty of juvenile White-crowned Sparrows provides some assurance that there will be a steady stream of handsome adult birds arriving to spend the winter during the years to come.
Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Juncos were encountered only in the vicinity of trees and large shrubs.
Savannah Sparrow
Several Savannah Sparrows were observed.  Though they’re mostly found in treeless country, this particular one happened to pose atop a clump of shrubs located within, you guessed it, the new savanna-like grasslands.
Winter Wren
A tiny bird, even when compared to a sparrow, the Winter Wren often provides the observer with just a brief glimpse before darting away into the cover of a thicket.
Standing Clump of Timber
Within grasslands, scattered stands of live and dead timber can provide valuable habitat for many species of animals.
A "snag" with an excavated nest cavity.
Woodpeckers and other cavity-nesting birds rely upon an abundance of “snags” (standing dead trees) for breeding sites.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
This Red-bellied Woodpecker and about a dozen others were found in trees left standing in the project areas.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker soaks up some sun.
Pileated Woodpecker
This very cooperative Pileated Woodpecker seemed to be preoccupied by insect activity on the sun-drenched bark of the trees.  This denizen of mature forests will oft times wander into open country where larger lumber is left intact.

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Harrier
Just as things were really getting fun, some late afternoon clouds arrived to dim the already fading daylight.  Just then, this Northern Harrier made a couple of low passes in search of mice and voles hidden in the grasses.
Northern Harrier
It was a fitting end to a very short, but marvelously sunny, early winter day.
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Time to Eat

A glimpse of the rowdy guests crowding the Thanksgiving Day dinner table at susquehannawildlife.net headquarters…

White-breasted Nuthatch
A male White-breasted Nuthatch visits a peanut feeder…
White-breasted Nuthatch
…soon to be joined by a female White-breasted Nuthatch.
Downy Woodpecker
A male Downy Woodpecker gets a bill full of suet.
Carolina Wren
A Carolina Wren nibbles at a peanut.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
An Eastern Gray Squirrel stuffs itself on peanuts dropped by the birds.
Northern Mockingbird
A territorial Northern Mockingbird stands guard over its supply of Common Winterberry fruit.
Eastern Bluebird
To avoid the mockingbird’s aggression, the Eastern Bluebirds opted out of fresh fruit in favor of raisins offered at the feeders.
American Robin
This persistent American Robin has made an art of repeatedly sneaking in to quickly devour a few berries before being chased away by the vigilant mockingbird.
Dark-eyed Junco
After everyone has had their fill, Dark-eyed Juncos clean up the leftovers.
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Photo of the Day

Northern Mockingbird
From a lookout atop an Eastern Hemlock, a Northern Mockingbird maintains a vigil over a garden full of berry-producing plants. To assure their survival during cold weather, these bold birds will vigorously defend winter food supplies on hollies, viburnums, poison-ivy, bittersweet, and other fruit-producing trees, shrubs, and vines, often swooping in to startle and flush birds and other animals that approach its stores too closely.
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