South Carolina Birder

I just finished an article on the Brown Pelican. Forty years ago the Brown Pelican was a common sight along the South Carolina Coast. They would nest in large rookeries on the barrier islands and could be seen fishing in the harbor and lagoons along the shoreline. The numbers dropped drastically during the ‘70’s before the affects of DDT were known. DDT affected a lot a birds but the biggest impact was on the larger birds such as theBald Eagle, California Condor, and the pelicans. DDT weakened the eggshells and when the birds sat on the eggs to incubate them, they cracked.

The Brown Pelican doesn’t incubate its eggs in the usual manor, but the eggs were still vulnerable. Rather than sit on the eggs, the Brown Pelican stands on them. The eggs are tucked into the webs of its feet to keep them warm. As the Brown Pelican is a heavy bird, eggs with a weakened shell didn’t stand a chance.

By the mid 1970’s the Brown Pelican’s range had reduced to one state, Florida. Since the ban of DDT the population has made a comeback. The California Brown Pelican (a sub-species) can be seen along the West Coast again. While its not a common sight, they are spotted periodically.

Florida’s population of Brown Pelicans is thriving. Unfortunately they lose a lot of Brown Pelican to careless sport fishermen. The birds tangle in abandoned fishing lines. It’s a serious problem along the Florida Coastline. They lose over 700 Brown Pelicans a year to strangulation or starvation. What a horrible waste.

The Brown Pelican is making a comeback here in South Carolina. There are pairs nesting on some of the barrier islands and are occasionally seen fishing along the coastline. The numbers are nowhere near what they were fifty years ago. It is still on the Endangered Species list nationwide, but the Brown Pelican has been removed from the list for the Southeastern Coastline.

I must comment the men and women that have made the conservation efforts a priority and their life’s work. Not only do they work tirelessly to preserve natural habitats, they educate the masses. We are a careless species. We have lost so many birds such as the Carolina Parakeet and the Passenger Pigeon. We don’t need to lose anymore.  

Lizzy

I teach at a brand new high school built with progress and expansion in mind. Subdivisions are going up and shopping centers are planned, but for now we’re basically out in the country. Waders and other aquatic birds are often seen in the ponds and in the ditches along the road. In the field behind the school birds of prey are often circling.

Today, while waiting for my lunch to heat in the microwave, I stood at the window in the faculty lounge and watched a Red-tailed Hawk swoop down and pluck a mouse from the grass. When a second hawk started circling, I pointed it out to another teacher. She was surprised that I knew what kind of bird it was. Smug, I proceeded to tell her all I knew about the Red-tailed Hawk.

The conversation turned to backyard birds and songbirds as we ate our lunch. I know a lot about birds but she zeroed in on one of my weakness. I have trouble recognizing bird songs. I love to listen to the chorus but unless I see the soloist, I can’t tell you what bird is singing.

Oh sure, I can recognize the easy ones. The Laughing Gull’s voice is distinct, and growing up in Minnesota I had to recognize the Common Loon. (I think it’s a rule.)

It’s the songbirds I have trouble with.

One of my projects for this winter is to focus on bird songs. I recognize some of them, but not nearly enough. I want to recognize the song before I spot the soloist. It will add a level of pleasure to the experience.

There are several good books and CD’s of bird songs on Amazon.com as well as websites with sound bytes. It’s time to round out my education. Someday I’ll be able to call myself a birder rather than simply a bird watcher.

Wish me luck!

Lizzy

When we hear the term Bird of Prey, we usually think of eagles, hawks, and owls. They are meat eaters and they use their feet instead of their beaks to capture prey. They have excellent vision, sharp beaks, and powerful feet with sharp talons. There are actually eight families of birds that qualify as Birds of Prey, eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, osprey, owls, secretary bird, and vultures, but today I am going to focus on one group, The Hawks.

The term hawk is loosely used. It generally referrers to the small to medium-size members of the Falconidae, Pandionidae, and Accipitridae families. They are usually woodland birds with long tails, and keen eyesight. They are phenomenal hunters. They will watch and wait from a concealed perch, and then swoop down and snatch their prey before their presence even had even registered.

Of all the hawks I’ve seen and read about, the Red-tailed Hawk is my favorite. It is the most common hawk in North America. It soars over the open country in search of its prey or perches in a tree at the edge of a field or meadow. With its sharp eyes peeled, it watches for the slightest movement signaling the presence of prey.

The Red-shouldered Hawk is another excellent hunter. But unlike the Red-tailed Hawk, the Red-shouldered Hawk hunts from a perch.

Both the Red-tailed and the Red-shouldered Hawks are common here in South Carolina, and they both prey on mice which suits me just fine.

Lizzy

I spent the weekend researching and writing a lens on the Cooper’s Hawk. I saw one once at the raptor center, but have never seen one in the wild. The Red-tailed Hawk is my personal favorite but there are so many different hawks. It was time to expand my knowledge.

The Cooper’s Hawk is one of the smaller hawks, measuring just 15 to 20 inches in length and unlike most hawks, it hunts from a perch. He’s rather majestic looking in spite of his size, but after reading about him I decided I didn’t like him. He makes his meal of some of my favorite song birds.

They are often called “The Chicken Hawk”. Back in the old days they would raid the chicken coop with frightening regularity. The farmers declared war and nearly wiped them out in the 1930’s.

Now day’s chickens are rarely turned loose in the farmyard to fend for themselves. They are kept securely locked within the chicken house. Without the chickens to feast on, the Cooper’s Hawk make its meal out of Robins, Meadowlarks, and other unsuspecting songbirds. I know it’s a natural cycle of life. We need predators and we need prey. The Cooper’s Hawk is welcome to his meal but he better leave MY birds alone. He’s not welcome in my yard.

Lizzy

As cooler weather approaches, the mix of birds visiting my birdfeeder is changing. The Cardinals are still there. They reside in my backyard all year long, but it has been awhile since I’ve seen a Robin. Are they gone? The temperature is still reaching the high eighties and low nineties. Unfortunately the migratory birds have a ways to go. They start the trek earlier than we realize.

Watch your birdfeeders through the fall. Birds that spend the summers further north may stop by for an inflight snack or even settle in for the winter here. The population changes with the seasons. Watch and learn.

Lizzy