Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary

Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, May 25, 2024

I was lucky to get this photo of an Eastern Wood-Pewee sitting on a small branch this morning as I walked around Mariton Wildlfe Sanctuary. They’re very easily recognized by their song which sounds like, “PeeeWeee”. You can read more about the Eastern Wood-Pewee by clicking on this link.

Annual Migratory Bird Census at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, May 11, 2024

This morning I participated in the Annual Migratory Bird Census at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary. Preserve Manager, Zane Miller, guided the walk along with two other expert birders. Together we documented at least 41 different species. Some of the highlights included a worm-eating warbler who serenaded us as he sang out in the open on a sparce tree branch. Another treat was a beautiful symphony of Tennessee Warbler, Ovenbirds, Wood Thrush, American Redstart and Red-eyed Vireo. I added a few new lifers to my east coast list. The more time I spend listening, the more I’m learning to make confident auditory identifications. It was a great opportunity to be in the company of these experts. The census went from 7:30 am until about 11:30 am. Afterwards I spent another two hours hiking the hills and listening. I was happy to capture a photo of a Pileated Woodpecker using his very long tongue to get insects out of a dead tree.

Some of the birds we either saw or heard today are as follows:

Canada Goose, Mourning Dove, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Tree Swallow, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Bluebird, Veery, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Chipping Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Brown-headed Cowbird, Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Song Sparrow, Black-throated Green Warbler

You can view more of my birding checklists on eBird.

Morning Bird Walk at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, April 28, 2024

Today I went back to Mariton with the hopes of getting a photo of one of the many Piliated Woodpeckers I’ve been seeing around the preserve. A few weeks ago I got some really great video with my phone, but I wanted a proper photograph with a better camera. I could hear them drumming up high in the trees, and two of them flew across the open power line cutaway that divides the forest. Unfortunately, I was not able to get my photo. It will happen one of these days. The Ovenbirds are back. A sure sign of warmer weather. I could hear their distinctive calls echoing through the trees. As I hiked in deeper on the North Fox Trail I heard my first Wood Thrush of the season. Literally music to my ears. There is something about the Wood Thrush’s song that truly enchants me. I just find it so beautiful and extremely relaxing. I sat down on a large boulder along the trail and just listened. A beautiful, natural symphony of birdsong. What a great day!