Yellow-Rumped Warblers
Spotted -
(entered
- 4 Nov 08)
Fall migration is underway and the yellow-rumped warbler has been present on all six of our last morning walks. They love to eat wax myrtle berries and we find them in these bushes on the Canvasback loop. At first blush they appear to be just another LBB (little brown bird) but at close look they have a patch of yellow on their backs just above the tail feathers and yellow streaks where the wings fold on the breast. Affectionately called "butter butts" at the Kiptopeke State Park bird banding station, these warblers are half of the 8,000 or so birds banded there each year. How nice to return from banding to find them in large numbers here in Mallard Bay. Cindi Bonnet
Mallard Bay's Forgotten Path - (entered - 10 Nov 08)
Well, maybe it's not exactly forgotten, but it's not used as much
as other facilities. It's called the Spring Valley Trail and its beginning is next to the tennis courts at the intersection of Pintail Lane and Canvasback Lane. The trail leads downhill, eventually terminating at a canoe/kayak dock on Bush Mill Stream. The dock is equipped with a rack for kayak/canoe storage and was recently repaired after a storm. Give the trail a try.