First Coot of Autumn

Though they will be abundant at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area within a few weeks, the first migrant coot of the season arrived on the Missouri floodplain refuge over the last two days; I counted 70 on the pools this morning.

Often mistaken for ducks, American coot are in the rail family and prefer reedy shallows where they feed in or out of the water; their diet consists primarily of aquatic plants and invertebrates which they snare from the surface or obtain by diving.

Though officially a permanent resident of Missouri, most of these chunky birds breed across the Northern Plains and Great Lakes region and winter across the southern U.S. Their numbers at Eagle Bluffs tend to peak in October and April as migrant flocks move through the Missouri River Valley.  It was a pleasure to encounter them this morning, even though they will hardly warrant a glance when they dominate the refuge next month.

Autumn's Sudden Arrival

This afternoon, a potent cold front pushed across Missouri, igniting showers and thunderstorms.  It is the leading edge of a broad atmospheric trough that has brought autumn temperatures to most of the Western U.S. and is now expanding eastward.

Though our recent weather has been relatively mild, devoid of the heat and humidity that characterize a Midwestern summer, this change is especially abrupt, reinforcing the fact that glorious October is just a few days in the future.  Rain-cooled air will be replaced by dry, Canadian air as the front moves east of Missouri and we expect afternoon highs in the 60s F and lows in the 40s F for the next week.

Of course, the dividing line between seasons is rarely so distinct and time will tell if summer has truly given up its reign.  But longer nights and a lower sun angle will make that recovery unlikely and it seems safe to turn off the AC for now; besides, natural cooling is always preferable. 

Ospreys, Otters & Grebes

On this glorious morning at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, the avian diversity was a bit disappointing;  red-winged blackbirds were abundant, as usual, while blue-winged teal, turkey vultures and chimney swifts were also common.  In addition, there were a few highlights.

A pair of ospreys were hunting above the central channel, plunging to snare fish in their talons.  A trio of river otters also graced the channel, swimming and diving in linear formation.  Finally, a half-dozen pied-billed grebes were observed on the floodplain pools; while they are expected at the refuge by late September and will be increasingly common over the next month or so, the grebes are just the latest sign that the tide of autumn is building.

Once again, a morning visit to Eagle Bluffs did not disappoint.  Though many birds seemed to be sleeping in, the ospreys, otters and grebes rewarded my effort, not to mention the pleasant weather and beautiful scenery.  I'll be back in a few days.

Vote for the Planet

Now that voting has begun in some States, it is especially important to emphasize what effect another four years of the Trump Administration will have on the welfare of our planet.  Denying that climate change is underway and that human activity is primarily responsible, Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord and shows no sign of changing course.

Every week brings another attack on the health of our environment as he slashes regulations that protect our air, water and natural ecosystems.  Trump is single-handedly turning back the clock to the era of unbridled pollution and excessive consumption; he ignores habitat destruction and the extinction of species and is primarily interested in appeasing the dictators and captains of industry whom he admires.

We have little time to alter the course of global warming and another four years of the Trump Administration (and his Republican enablers) may very well seal our fate.  It is imperative that we vote for Biden and return the Senate to Democratic control.  Vote for your Grandkids!  Vote for the Planet!

Beautiful Calendars

At least once a week, a beautiful calendar arrives at our home.  In almost every case, these are sent by nonprofit organizations, hoping for a donation to cover the cost of their gift and services.

In this digital age, one wonders how many of us actually use wall calendars; having just turned 70, I have not placed one on the wall for at least twenty years.  Some have been donated to my grandkids (before they received their I-pads) but most are simply placed in the recycle bin (after flipping through the photos to justify the postage).

We donate to our fair share of charities and non-profit groups, many of which are devoted to medical care or conservation, but I am especially dismayed when I receive wall calendars from conservation organizations, whether I am a member or not.  In my mind, they are an unnecessary use of paper and fuel, just the consumption that conservationists so vigorously oppose; perhaps the former is recycled (which requires some energy use) but I doubt the ink, staples and gas are second-hand.  Of course, I also resent the fact that those organizations use part of my donation to send out the calendars!

A Vanguard of Pelicans

On a visit to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area this morning, a friend and I encountered the first flock of American white pelicans this fall.  Having bred and summered across the Northern Plains, they are heading for the Gulf Coast and may spend a few days on the Missouri River floodplain before continuing their journey.

About 120 of the pelicans graced the refuge today and many more will follow over the next two months.  Though they look like they belong in the Sub-tropics, these are hardy birds, reluctant to leave the chilly winds of their summer haunts and often departing the balmy southern bays by February.

Indeed, their numbers at Eagle Bluffs usually peak in late winter or early spring while their autumn migration is spread out and less spectacular.  On the other hand, their presence is always a highlight at the refuge and this morning's vanguard, resting on the cool, foggy floodplain, was a welcome and inspiring sight.

Broad-wings over Phillips Lake

On this clear, cool morning in central Missouri, I visited Perry Phillips Lake Park, in southeast Columbia.  Despite the pleasant birding weather, earthmovers prowled near the south shore and a relatively large number of joggers panted along the loop trail, limiting my sightings.

Only 15 avian species were observed, most of them common permanent residents of Missouri.  But the highlight of this gorgeous autumn morning was a large flock of broad-winged hawks, circling southward on their way to Central or South America or South Florida.  Though they breed throughout the eastern half of the United States and southern Canada, these small buteos are reclusive during the warmer months, nesting and hunting for small birds, reptiles, amphibians and large insects in forested areas.  Come September, however, they gather in large flocks and may be seen in the hundreds or thousands as they travel toward their wintering grounds.

This morning's flock, though relatively small (23 by my count), was an inspiring sight and just the latest sign that the long, hot summer is retreating southward.  The broad-wings may choose to follow that season but I, for one, am glad to see it go.

Sex on the Porch

Now that I have your attention, be assured that this is a family blog.  Nevertheless, sex is an essential force in nature.

Today, after bringing my lunch out to the front porch, I noticed woody debris in the lattice that borders our entryway.  Before I could pick the stems from the lattice, I realized that they were the limbs and torso of a walking stick; in fact, there were two of these interesting insects, locked in copulation.  Of course, I left them alone and, by dinner time, they had not uncoupled; indeed, walking sticks are known to copulate for days or even weeks.

More than 3000 species of walking sticks are found across the globe.  Feeding on a variety of leaves, the female is much larger than the male and is capable of parthenogenesis (the production of female offspring without the need for mating).  Today's discovery was thus unusual, one that I had not yet encountered.  Disguised as plant material, they avoid detection by mice, birds and bats, their primary predators.  Females may lay up to a thousand seed-like eggs, which may be dropped in a secluded site or spread across her territory. 

Both Sides of Climate Change

If there was ever a week that warned of the risks associated with global warming, it may be this one.  Wildfires, triggered by prolonged drought and severe heat, rage across the Western States, driving thousands from their homes, spreading smoky air across urban areas and devastating more than three million acres in California alone.

At the same time, Hurricane Sally is expected to bring severe flooding to the Northern Gulf Coast while several other tropical storms churn their way across the Atlantic, almost using up the alphabet by the peak of the hurricane season; with two more months to go, meteorologists will soon begin using the Greek alphabet to name storms.

Though climate change is not the sole reason for these natural phenomena, it certainly appears to be playing a major role.  As the air and seas warm, climatologists expect dry landscapes to become more arid and wet areas to become more prone to flooding; of course, coastal regions are already experiencing the effects of rising seas.  It is not too late to intervene: vote for Biden/Harris! 

Outdoors Season

Looking ahead at the weather forecast for central Missouri, it appears we have finally entered the outdoors season.  While we may experience another hot, humid spell, those conditions should be brief.

Though I spent six summers working as a lifeguard and cut lawns for income during my youth, I have become increasingly intolerant of heat as I have grown older.  For me, summer weather is often unpleasant and I limit my outdoor activity to the early morning and evening hours.  From mid September to mid May, however, I am outdoors most of the time, hiking birding, reading or performing a variety of chores.  After all, it is during this period that our wild neighbors also tend to be most active and conspicuous.

While humans evolved in the Tropics and we are naturally designed to handle heat better than cold, our large brains have enabled us to remain active during the colder months.  Equipped with layered clothing and other winter gear, some of us are far more likely to head outdoors during the chilly months than we are during the oppressive heat of summer.  Unfortunately, global warming may significantly shorten the outdoors season.

More Decoys than Ducks

On this cool, foggy morning at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, the parking lots were filled with pickups and decoys bobbed in the pools; in some areas, camouflaged hunters patiently gathered near the decoys while intermittent shot-gun blasts echoed across the floodplain.  It is teal season in Missouri.

Despite all the hunting activity, very few ducks were observed (I counted 17 blue-winged teal during a two-hour visit); indeed, overall bird activity was rather limited with the exception of great egrets and swallows.  A lone bald eagle (observed by my friend) was the only raptor encountered and songbirds were relatively quiet and secluded.  In all, we saw 23 avian species.

After a long, hot summer, it was nice to enjoy the cool morning air and to experience the earliest stage of the autumn waterfowl migration.  Blue-winged teal are the first migrant ducks to arrive each year (a full month ahead of their cohorts) and the first to face a determined army of human hunters.  This morning, however, there were far more decoys than ducks.

A Nighthawk Parade

Late yesterday afternoon, a common nighthawk appeared over our Columbia yard, zig-zagging his way northward.  As I watched his flight, two more followed and, within a few minutes, 26 had passed overhead.

Preparing to leave for South America, these birds were fueling up on flying insects and will likely join many other nighthawks when their migration begins; indeed, flocks numbering in the hundreds are often observed in late summer once their journey is underway.

Common nighthawks nest throughout North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico and the Gulf Coast.  Unfortunately, their population has declined, likely due to the widespread use of pesticides.  Among the earliest fall migrants, these long-distance travelers begin to depart by late August and do not return to the Midwest until May of the following year. 

North Atlantic Currents

Reading Migrations, a novel by Charlotte McConaghy (and a gift from my son), I was moved to review the oceanic currents of the North Atlantic.  Long known to affect regional climate, marine life populations and ship traffic, these rivers in the sea are the product of Earth's rotation.

At the Davis Strait, the Baffin Island and West Greenland currents merge to form the Labrador Current which hugs the eastern coast of Labrador as it flows to the SSE.  Nearing Newfoundland, it bifurcates to enclose that scenic island Province and then continues along the coasts of Nova Scotia and New England, fueling the marine ecosystems of that region.  In concert, the Gulf Stream develops in the Florida Strait and sweeps its warm waters northeastward, producing a relatively mild climate in Iceland, the British Isles and the western coast of Europe (as far south as the Canary Islands of Northern Africa).  Where these two major currents merge, fog, stormy weather and turbulent seas threaten trans-Atlantic shipping, not to mention the icebergs carried south by the Labrador Current.

The novel referenced above is set in the future, after global warming has severely impacted the flora and fauna of our planet.  Marine scientists currently expect climate change to markedly diminish the benefits of the Labrador Current, augmenting the decimation of fish populations in the North Atlantic, already threatened by over-fishing and pollution.

Quail Hollow Park

Quail Hollow Park, just northeast of Hartville Ohio, is 703 acres of meadows, swamps and forest, accessed  by hiking, horse and mountain bike trails.  Once a farm, the refuge was later a hunting preserve before becoming a State Park in 1975; Stark County assumed management of the Park in recent years.

In addition to the trail network, Quail Hollow Park offers fishing on Shady Lake and harbors a Nature Center that is open on weekends; historic buildings and a garden also grace the property.  On our visit late this morning, my wife and I hiked through the deciduous-pine forest, circling the course of a meandering stream and its woodland swamp; despite yesterday's heavy rain, the well engineered trails were easily traversed and our 2-mile course through fragrant, shaded terrain was a pleasant and peaceful excursion.

There was nothing special about Quail Hollow Park and both the flora and fauna were common for this region of Ohio's Appalachian Plateau.  But it was new to us and that was more than enough to warrant a visit.

Clash Zone Storms

This morning, low pressure over northern Ontario, Canada, is sweeping cool air southeastward across the Great Lakes.  In concert, clockwise winds around high pressure over the Southeastern U.S. are dragging warm, humid, Gulf of Mexico air northward through the Mississippi Valley and then eastward across northern Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

In the clash zone between these air masses, a line of thunderstorms has developed, especially here in northeastern Ohio.  Dropping torrential rain, the storms are "training" across the same areas, triggering a flash-flood watch for this region.

While novice weather watchers often think of storms as isolated cloud banks, unleashing their cargo of rain or snow on the landscape beneath their path, they are actually products of atmospheric pressure zones, often far from the heart of the action.  This morning, the culprits for our storms sit over Hudson Bay and eastern Tennessee.

Treefrog on the Dryer

Before I came down for breakfast this morning, my wife called up to report that there was a frog on the dryer.  While we are getting older, her cognitive function has seemed to be intact (though not as excellent as our Dear Leader's) so I accepted the fact that her assessment was reliable.  Upon reaching the utility room, I did, indeed, find a small green treefrog resting comfortably on the metal surface of the dryer in our Sandy Lake cottage.

Fortunately, I was able to grab the wayward amphibian before he hopped into less-accessible recesses of the small space and carried him outdoors, his moist skin and squirming body almost disrupting my effort.  After a bit of research, I concluded that our visitor was a young eastern gray treefrog, common in this part of Ohio.  How he ended up in the utility room remains a mystery.

Hoping to enjoy the many wild neighbors that share our local environment, we must go outdoors or at least look out the windows.  On occasion, they choose to explore our habitat!

A Loner in the Crowd

On our way back from Berlin Lake, we visited Lake Milton to its NNE.  Also a reservoir on the Mahoning River, Lake Milton is far more developed along its shores and relatively congested on its open waters, making it less appealing to this naturalist.

Nevertheless, we stopped at a beach along its northwest shore, where a flock of ring-billed gulls lounged on the sand.  Joining the gulls was a large tern with a thick, blood-red bill; it was, of course, a Caspian Tern. After breeding in scattered areas across Canada, southern Alaska and the Great Basin, these terns head to southern beaches for the northern winter, from the U.S. to South America.  In my experience, migrant Caspian terns are generally seen alone or in small groups, joining larger flocks of gulls, other terns, skimmers and shorebirds.

Once again, a detour from the direct route turned up an unexpected sighting.  We may see what we plan to observe but also what we allow ourselves to experience. 

Berlin Lake

Berlin Lake, in Northeastern Ohio, is a 5500 acre reservoir on the Mahoning River, a secondary tributary of the Ohio River.  Completed in 1943, it is utilized for flood control, water supply and recreational activities; fishing is especially popular on the reservoir.

Having never visited this lake, my wife and I drove down late this morning and were pleased to find that a large portion of its shoreline remains undeveloped.  In addition, a hike-bike path, accessed from US 224 or Ohio 14, runs across the southwest portion of the reservoir, offering broad views of the open waters.  Ospreys, double-crested cormorants and ring-billed gulls were observed during our brief visit.

It is always a pleasure to visit new landscapes, especially those we have long observed on maps but never had the opportunity to explore.  Sometimes the experience turns out to be disappointing but our journey to Berlin Lake was well worth the effort.

Herrick Fen Nature Preserve

On this cloudy, warm, humid morning in Northeast Ohio, my wife and I visited the J. Arthur Herrick Fen Nature Preserve.  Owned by Kent State University and The Nature Conservancy since 1969, this restored post-glacial wetland preserve is northwest of Kent, Ohio.

Accessed by a trail and boardwalk, the refuge is a mosaic of sedge meadows, fens and forested kames (ridges of glacial debris left behind as the Wisconsin Glacier retreated northward, 12-15,000 years ago).  Bayberry Creek, a secondary tributary of the Cuyahoga River, drains the preserve which is known for its glacial-relic tamarack fen and rare plants (including a carnivorous sundew).  We were serenaded by cardinals and catbirds while red-tails and a lone Cooper's hawk patrolled the wetlands from above.

Despite the interesting geology, flora and fauna, we were the only human visitors this morning, perhaps due to the threatening skies.  Social distancing was not an issue!