Bird Highlight 1, Grey Catbird

Grey Catbird 

Dumetella carolinensis  

Adult Catbird,  reddish under tail distinguishes it from blackbirds. 

This is the first in a series of highlight articles about bird and wildlife species common in the Cape Fear Region. This series is intended to give some information about birds and animals we commonly encounter or overlook in our gardens, parks, or the wilderness.

The Grey Catbird (or Gray Catbird) is a medium sized thrushlike bird that is common in the Carolinas from April to October and is found in all regions of NC and SC. This bird is a relative of the mockingbird (genus Mimus) and thrashers (Toxostoma) and is about the size of a Wood Thrush or starling. These birds are the northernmost range of any Mimid and breeds from the Boreal Belt to the Gulf States of America. Catbirds are not known for their mimicry but can still copy the sounds of frogs, katydids, and parts of bird songs. The most notable call from this bird is its namesake mewing call that can sound like a cat's meow or even a crying baby. The Catbird is an bird of thickets and is primarily found near water or wetlands, or in mid-successional habitats where thick shrubs, brambles, coppices provide nest habitat. They often take habitats with moderate tree canopy has formed above and often cooccur with Brown Thrashers.

Description 

Grey Catbirds are medium sized songbirds that have a slender profile and look a bit like a blackbird or miniature grackle. They are slightly smaller than a cardinal and the same length as a starling or Wood Thrush except slimmer with a long tail. As the name implies these birds are slate grey to blackish with a reddish undertail. The beak is similar to that of a mockingbird. 

• Size: L: 17-23cm or 6.75-9" (between starling and cardinal size with individual variation)
• Plumage is a uniform grey or black coloration with a darker cap, and tail, and reddish undertail
• Body is shaped like a Thrush except with a long tail, bill similar to mockingbird 
• Compare to Rusty or Red Winged Blackbird, or Common Starling 

Voice 

Song: Catbirds sing a complex, jumbled song that consists of a mixture of whistles, squawks, ratcheting sounds, screams, and warbles giving in a seemingly endless pattern. Some songs can last for 10-15 minutes at a time. In general Catbirds do not repeat phrases multiple times, and mimics only occasionally. 

The alternate song of the Catbird is a slow whistled chant that can be mistaken for a Red Eyed or Yellow Throated Vireo or even a Summer Tanager, except that it has more complex phrases. 

Compare: Brown Thrashers repeat phrases two to three times and have phrases that sound more like a Wood or Hermit Thrush (or an American Robin). Mockingbirds sing faster, mimic everything around them and may repeat calls six or more times. 

Calls: Grey Catbirds make a variety of calls including a mewing sound that can be compared to a cat or infant, as well as various chatters, screams, froglike croaks, and a chipping call that can be mistaken for a blackbird or Hermit Thrush. Check out the Cornell Lab Link for voice examples. 

Notes

Season: Catbirds are found in our region from April to October with a small number of birds remaining through the winter, primarily around seacoasts or in gardens with bird tables.  

Habitat: Grey Catbirds are mostly associated with wetlands or riparian areas and are usually found within a short distance of water. They are abundant in wooded swamps, riparian buffers, alders or willows along marshes, bogs, brambles, and in overgrown fields. In migration they are found in almost any shrubby or wooded habitat with abundant fruits and berries.

They visit gardens with dense shrubs, trees, hedges, or neglected fencerows, and are most likely to stop in yards during autumn migration or as a stray winter resident.

Typical natural wetland with a mix of meadow, marsh and wooded swamp.

Diet: Eats mostly insects, mollusks, isopods, and other invertebrates found in thickets, leaf litter, muddy areas, or meadows. Often feeds in small openings near shrubs, on edges of lawns, or in shallow water. THey consume fruits and berries year round and favor mulberry, blackberry, pokeweed, cherry laurel, and magnolia. Occasionally eats small vertebrates, seeds, or sweet substances. 

Nesting: Forms loose colonies along shrubby thickets or waterways and does not appear to be as territorial as mockingbirds or thrashers. Pairs build a robinlike nest of grass, reeds, twigs, or other materials on the ground, low in shrubs or brambles, or sometimes in trees, reeds, or ivy/creeper growing up walls. The birds lay 3-6 bluish eggs and raise 2-3 broods per year. Nesting season in the Carolinas ranges from Apr to August. Catbird pairs may be territorial towards cardinals, other Mimids or thrushes, and potential predators like cats, weasels, snakes, or crows. 

Behavior: Catbirds feed mostly on the ground or in thickets below the canopy and remain in dense cover. These birds are very tame and often tolerate human activity in parks or nature trails. Males sing for hours on end from fairly high perches above thickets, and often sing during the midday and afternoon when most birds are quiet. Migrants form flocks that may number into the dozens where fruits are abundant, while wintering birds are solitary. Some research suggests that Catbirds and possibly Mockingbirds may destroy nests of other birds to reduce  competition, and will certainly compete with other shrub nesting species. However, they seem to coexist with cardinals, thrashers, and Carolina Wrens. They seem to occupy the same niche as Hermit or other woodland thrushes, or the mockingbird. 

For more information, check out the species profile on Cornell Lab's All About Birds  

Where to Find

The Grey Catbird is easy to find in New Hanover County during the summer months and is almost guaranteed along any creek basin, stormwater wetland, marsh, or peatland/bog. Greenfield Lake Park, Wade Park, and the Burnt Mill Creek corridor has dense populations of Catbirds during the summer.

In the winter, look or listen for Catbirds in maritime thickets, edges of marshes, or near bogs and lakes, as well as around bird tables or ornamental shrubs in gardens.

Garden Information

A wet meadow in my home garden, an example of habitat that catbirds may visit.

Catbirds can be attracted to gardens if there is dense shrubbery, wooded areas, or meadowlike habitat mixed with vines, brambles or shrubs. They seem to like plantings of wax myrtle, azaleas, holly, and any hedge or woodland opening tangled with vines, wild brambles, or saplings. They may nest in gardens near wetlands, creeks, or even damp depressions and occasionally occur in dense woodlots or utility corridors in drier areas. Attract Catbirds with fruit bearing plants such as mulberry, blackberry, Carolina Rose, magnolia, dogwood, pokeweed, beautyberry or viburnum. They also feed in flowerbeds, vegetable gardens and compost piles. 

Bird Table Notes

Suet is the preferred feeder food of Catbirds. They may even harass woodpeckers 

Grey Catbirds will visit feeders near suitable habitat and often become regular patrons once they discover it. They eat suet, lard, mealworms, and peanut butter as well as table scraps, grape jelly, fruits, and peanuts. Catbirds may occasionally eat sunflower seeds or hearts, corn, and chopped tree nuts. While they prefer ground feeding or open bird tables near hedges, they will boldly come to suet cages, open setups, or even window/porch feeders. Expect multiple pairs or family groups with young to arrive feeders during the summer months. In the winter, a lone bird may visit a feeder and will often return in subsequent seasons if the food is reliable. 

Catbird at window feeder during autumn

Catbirds are often feisty and will overwhelm or attack other birds such as cardinals, Downy or Hairy Woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens, or bluebirds. They will also challenge starlings, Blue Jays, Red Bellied Woodpeckers. It seems that mockingbirds are dominant to Catbirds.

Smaller birds like chickadees, nuthatches, and Pine Warblers usually get by as catbirds ignore seed feeders with the exception of this rare instance to the left.

Wonderful Plants for the Birds

Blog Updates

An eagle enjoying an early morning flight

Hello readers: Before I introduce this weeks article, I wanted to give a few updates about the blog. I am still playing around with the site's features and tools and have added a tab with pages at the top of the main screen. I am looking at other ways to improve the layout for easier navigation including rearranging the links to posts in a sidebar and putting one article per page. In addition, I am looking at a way to group posts such as guides, species highlights, or information about locations into menus so they won't get lost in the list. Thank you for understanding.

I would like to thank the Cape Fear Audubon Society chapter, and Wrightsville Beach Bird Stewards for sharing the link to this blog. We all eagerly await the return of organized nature walks or birdwatching outings, but until then, sit back and the birds and wildlife in your garden or visit a local park or woodland.

Please check out the posts about Hugh McRae Park, Greenfield Lake Park in May, and Declining Songsters as these have interesting photos and insights. Stay tuned for weekly posts on Wednesdays as well as any additional specials I may add between normal uploads.

Birds and Plants 

Today I wanted to highlight the importance of choosing plants that attract and host local birds and pollinators. As spring turns into summer, many gardens in the Carolinas have already been started and we can't wait for the reward of colorful flowerbeds, juicy tomatoes or bushes of blackberries. It is never too late to improve your garden for birds and today I will highlight just a few plants that will bring in birds to the gardens this summer. I will feature both native and nonnative plants that I find easy to grow in Southeastern NC, require minimal maintenance and are good for the birds.

Blackberries 

Genus Rubus 

Dewberry with fruits, a vining species

Flowers of a typical bramble forming blackberry

Blackberries are a type of bramble related to roses and are among the most commonly grown fruit in gardens. There are hundreds of blackberry species across the world and North Carolina has dozens of native species. Some species such as Common Dewberry are groundcovers or climbers, while others such as Common Blackberry form bushes or coppices. There are even thornless blackberry varieties suited for home gardens. Blackberries are easy to grow in gardens and are numerous across the countryside, in forest openings, meadows, and even vacant lots in cities. The fruits are a staple of cuisine and are fun just to eat during the early summer. For birds, blackberries provide more than just fruits. Many species such as Indigo Buntings, cardinals, towhees, catbirds, and bobwhites nest in blackberry brambles, while the white flowers attract bees and other insects in the spring. A blackberry bramble in your yard can be a good haven for wrens, sparrows, cardinals, warblers, and even Yellow Billed Cuckoos in the summer, as well as bringing fruit eating orioles, tanagers, and catbirds. Most varieties produce so many fruits that you are sure to get your share of the harvest even as birds, squirrels, and certain insects enjoy them as well. Be advised that most blackberries are aggressive and will take over your garden if poorly contained. I recommend dedicating a section of your property as a bramble or planting blackberries along a woodland, fencerow or hedge where it has room to expand. Dewberries and most native blackberries have nasty prickles as well. 

• Good for nesting habitat 
• Attracts fruit eating orioles, tanagers, mockingbirds, starlings and much more 
• Migrants and wintering songbirds shelter in brambles 
• Dewberry is a good cat, fox, or raccoon deterrent and can be planted under birdhouses 
• Flowers attract bees and butterflies, many insects also feed on the leaves. 
• Drought tolerant, durable, and easy to grow, but give it extra space. 
• Thornless varieties are available as well.  

Climbing Roses 

Rosa carolina, Rosa Ragusa, Rosa laevigata 

Climbing Roses in our garden (Cherokee Rose)

Carolina Rose in flower

My second choice of plants that are good for birds are climbing roses. The Rose family is a large group of plants that include roses, brambles, hawthorns, apples, and much more. There are hundreds of "true roses" including familiar garden staples such as tea rose (the ones used for rose hip tea) as well as popular cultivars such as the Knock Out Roses planted in gardens and landscaped areas. We also have some native roses in the Carolina including the Swamp Rose that grows in wetlands, Carolina Rose which is a oldfield colonizer, and the climbing Cherokee Rose. Roses are the perfect plant for birds as they have large thorns that provide safe nesting habitat and cover, the flowers and leaves attract insects, and rose hips provide winter fruit for songbirds. In my garden I love the Cherokee and the nonnative Rugosa Rose because it forms brambles, climbs fences or trellises and can make a good nest site for birds in just a season. We also have Carolina Rose and various cultivated varieties that provide homes for everything from mockingbirds in the front yard to nesting thrashers, and Indigo Buntings along the hedge. Both climbing varieties are durable, drought tolerant and easy to root, but like the Blackberries, be prepared to prune, weed out runners. Train roses up arbors, trellises, or walls to create habitat and maximize flowering, although I often just let them form thickets if space allows. Both roses have nasty thorns and will rip you up, so wear gloves and avoid planting them in cultivated areas. Avoid the invasive Multiflora Rose at all costs as it will take over and birds will spread it into woodlots and fields.

• Roses are of the fastest ways to create nest habitat for birds 
• Carolina, Cherokee, and Ragusa Rose flower thought the summer and into autumn 
• I find the three species to be a boon for native bees and honeybees alike
• Rose hips from these plants are eaten by songbirds in the winter
• Drought tolerant, no insect management needed, Japanese Beetles are rarely an issue
• Beware of powdered mildew during the midsummer or in rainy periods 
• Allow a lot of space and be prepared to cut back, or remove runner  

Green Headed Coneflower 

Rubeckia laciniata 

Close up of flower

Here is a nice perennial species that is native to our region. The Green Headed Coneflower is a relative of the familiar Black Eyed Susan that grows in wet meadows, woodland openings, and along roadsides in all parts of North and South Carolina. This plant is fairly common in gardens but is much harder to find than other Rubeckia or Echinacea species. This plant blooms from late May all the way to November and each plant has dozens, if not hundreds of yellow or greenish composite flowers. This plant grows 24-36" and colonizes by runners, or seeds. It attracts bees, wasps, butterflies, and hoverflies and is a host to a number of butterflies including Pearl Crescents. From late summer to autumn, seed heads form although this plant can be pruned to extend flowering. American Goldfinches, Siskins, House Finches, White Throated Sparrows, and cardinals love the seeds as do migrating Indigo Buntings, other sparrows, and flocks of Mourning Doves. Dense colonies may also provide enough cover to hide a yellowthroat, wren, or sparrow nest and will certainly lure post breeding chickadee flocks, and local insect eaters all summer long. The main issue with this plant is that it will takeover a perennial border if left unchecked as it spreads by runners and seeds. This plant will flop over if it grows too tall although not as bad as Narrowleaf and Swamp Sunflowers. I recommend planting this species in meadow gardens, hedges, or along fences with asters sunflowers, blazing stars, bee balm, and one or more native grasses. Cosmos, Zinnias, and Salvias are also good companions. 

• Flowers prolifically from late May to November and can be enhanced with deadheading 
• Low maintenance, drought tolerant, also does well in rain or bog gardens 
• Naturalizes and shades out weeds 
• Flowers bring bees, wasps, butterflies, and beneficial insects all summer long
• Finches, buntings, sparrows, and cardinals eat the seeds
• Consider pruning tall plants or bracing them with stakes to prevent flopping 
• It takes over, so give it space or plant in meadows, or along a hedge or fence 
• Mix well with other summer and autumn flowers, native or cultivated. 

Salvia Species (Sages) 

Salvia lyrata S. azurea, S. splendens S. guaranitca and S. elegans

Pineapple Sage in full bloom

Black and Blue Salvia (left), with New England Aster, and Bugleweed (purple groundcover)

The next plant I will highlight for birds is a member of the mint family known as the Salvias. Most salvias are native to the Americas with the Carolinas hosting numerous species such as Azure Sage (Blue Salvia), Lyre-Leaved Sage, and Scarlet Sage, among others. Salvia species do well in the hot, humid climates of the Carolinas and tolerate both dry and damp areas. Many species will bloom from May to Frost in the Cape Fear Region while Lyre Leaved Sage is an early to mid-spring flower. This family of plants is ideal for perennial borders, wildlife gardens, or to fill a meadow, woodland edge, and will also grow in containers. We use the Lyre Leaved, Scarlet, Azure, Black and Blue, and Pineapple Sages extensively in our garden. All of these plants provide flowers for hummingbirds, sphinx moths, and long-tongued bees, and create a sea of blue, purple, red, or even white. Salvias need little care once established, and will hold their own although all thicket forming species (Black and Blue, Pine Apple esp) will takeover and grow as tall as 4ft. Salvias spread by runners and like many plants in the mint family, must be watched and control if you plant them with other plants. Like the coneflower, salvia meadows might offer thick enough cover for nesting songbirds, and will certainly be good foraging sites. Pineapple Sage is a favorite of Ruby Throated and Rufous Hummingbirds as this plant often starts blooming from August and will persist until the first hard frost (as late ad December). All species are readily available and are also found in the wild. Chances are Lyre-Leaved and Azure Sage already grows in your front lawn if herbicides are not sprayed.

• Dozens of species and numerous cultivars to choose from, all of the mentioned species are native to North America 
• The bush species bloom from May to Frost and require minimal care 
• Lyre Leaved Sage is a spring bloomer and does better in mown areas 
• Attracts hummingbirds, sphinx moths, native bees, and sometimes orioles 
• Cover for nesting birds such as yellowthroats, wrens, or sparrows 
• Pineapple and Black and Blue Salvia will takeover beds if left unchecked 
• Most plants have very few pests or problems 

Coral Honeysuckle 

Lonicera sempervirens 

Coral Honeysuckle in flower

Last but not least, I will highlight a good vine (or kind-of a vine). The Coral Honeysuckle or Mailbox Honeysuckle is our native species and is far less aggressive as the more familiar Japanese Honeysuckle that is seen in hedges, woodlands, and urban lots across the Carolinas. This plant is found in all regions of Carolina and can bloom any month of the year, although it peaks in spring and again in late summer. Coral Honeysuckles primarily grow as bushes or groundcovers and are rather difficult to train up trellises, arbors, or walls, although it can be done with patience. The plant produces long red or pinkish flowers that are adapted to be pollenated by long-tongued moths and birds. They produce reddish fruits in the autumn which are enjoyed by cardinals, orioles, mockingbirds, thrushes, and much more. The flowers are guaranteed to draw in hummingbirds which is the plant's main pollinator while Orchard and Baltimore Orioles will also sip from the plant as well as warblers, kinglets, and certain woodpeckers. This honeysuckle also hosts insects for other birds and can grow thick enough to support a cardinal or mockingbird nest although it is not the best nesting plant. Coral Honeysuckles rarely take over like its Asian counterpart and spread mostly by seedlings. Plant this plant along fencerows, hedges, or trained them up trellises mailboxes, porches, and even birdhouses. The plant is drought tolerant and has very few issues although I advise pruning it after each flowering period to prevent it from getting leggy. Pruning also allows more buds to form, although allow some flowers to form fruits.

• A native plant that is readily available in nurseries or online 
• Rarely takes over like Japanese Honeysuckle, and forms a bush 
• Can flower any  month of the year in the Cape Fear, although it flowers mostly from Apr to Oct
• Red flowers are pollenated mostly hummingbirds although sphinx moths also visit 
• Also attracts orioles, warblers, kinglets, and insect eating birds 
• Thick vines or trellised plants could be used as nesting sites by some birds 
• Fruits eaten by cardinals, thrushes, mockingbirds, and Carolina Wrens 
• Requires occasional pruning to maintain shape and extend flowering 
• Can be difficult to grow vertically but will make a nice arrangement once it is trained 
• Has few pests or problems and does well in more formal gardens or near homes. 

Two Great PBS Shows about Carolina Ecology

Nature and history documentaries are one of my favorite genres on television ever since the Golden Era of Animal Planet, Discovery, and History Channel (before reality "script" tv and other programming took over in the 2010s). The regional PBS stations under the University of North Carolina and South Carolina ETV are among the best sources of documentaries these day. PBS staples such as Nature, Nova, and the American history series American Experience have been part of my life since I was a child (not to mention Antiques Roadshow, Bob Vila-era This Old House, and The Woodwright Shop). The universities in the Carolinas have also made some wonderful nature and history documentaries that focus on local ecology and history. Today I am highlighting two shows that showcase the ecological history of North and South Carolina.

Exploring North Carolina 

Exploring NC logo, from show's Facebook page

Exploring North Carolina with Tom Earndhart is the UNCTV show that got me hooked the ecosystems North and South Carolina's. This long-running documentary series has been on since the early/mid 2000s and takes viewers into natural ecosystems from Bald Head Island to Mount Mitchell. In addition to describing the ecosystems, wildlife, and geologic history of North Carolina, the show also has episodes about human impacts, exploration, environmental sustainability, and even how to turn your yard into a wildlife sanctuary. This was the show that got me fascinated with North Carolina's diverse habitats and the fact that the state has two climatical extremes. 

One of the episodes that caught my attention was the one that took a trip from the maritime forests of Bald Head Island and its near tropical climate to Mount Mitchell's spruce fir forests which were equivalent to boreal forests in Southern Canada. To think that there are palmettos, brightly colored songbirds, and fascinating insects within 300-400 (485-650km) of coniferous forests where Red Squirrels, Juncos, and Elk occur. This show is still in production and airs on UNCTV and its sub channels multiple times a week including its original reruns. 

This show often comes on UNCTV main channel on Thursday nights (8 or 9PM), and on sister channels such as Explorer, the NC Channel at various times (including at 7am on Saturdays) depending on the lineup. Many episodes are available on the PBS site or online. 

Exploring North Carolina at UNCTV.org

Wild Expeditions with Patrick McMillan 

Screenshot from internet, courtesy of Amazon.com

A more recent show that I enjoy on PBS is Wild Expeditions with Patrick McMillan. This show is out of Clemson University in South Carolina and focuses both on natural ecology and wildlife in North and South Carolina as well as visiting ecosystems in other parts of North America and occasionally elsewhere. Each episode takes place in a different location and ecosystem in the Carolinas or somewhere else and is packed with ecological facts, history, potential threats, and how people can help protect and enjoy the natural wonders of the Americas. Patrick goes out into forests, marshes, and unique habitats ranging from the Blue Ridge Mountains to bird colonies along the coast and many places that we may be familiar with. He also has been in the Sonoran Desert, the Prairies of the Midwest, Catalina Island, Belize, and Florida. What I like about this show is its emphasis on birds, frogs, insects, and plants in each habitat in a given season, while Exploring NC is more centered around interviewing ecologists, geologists, professors, and historians. The bird and frog sounds, close ups of animals, and seeing a meadow, forest understory, or seacoast in action are what catch my attention. Additionally he has some episodes just on attracting wildlife to the garden and explains techniques used at the South Carolina Botanical Garden to show case ways to balance aesthetics and wildlife habitat. 

This show is one of the things that inspired this blog and waking up to bird or nature walks on saturday mornings is a good way to start the weekend (along any good PBS Nature episode or production by David Attenborough, the late Steve Erwin, or other renown naturalists). Currently it comes on UNCTV's Explorer channel at 6:30am on Saturdays, and on the NC channel at 7:00 depending on the lineup. Check UNCTV and ETV SC's site for listings. There are many episodes on the show's website below.

Expeditions with Patrick McMillan at ETV SC

These are just two of my favorite nature shows with direct links to the Carolinas and are good resources for learning about wildlife and history in our area. Supporting your local PBS Station can go a long way for ensuring these types of shows will be around for future generations. Even just watching PBS is one of the best way to support the network and get others aware of the wonderful programming it offers, This is partially true these times with mainstream and cable networks becoming bogged down with reality shows, short-lived series, 24hr news cycles, and other programs that are okay in moderation but are not for everyone. 

Happy Exploring 

Greenfield Lake in May

Greenfield Lake Park in May (Photo Highlights below)

Custom map of Greenfield Lake, with reference points. Made by Curtis Downey, May 2020.

May marks the transition between spring and summer in the Carolinas. Temperatures are rising while the last day of frost is behind us. At this point most of the trees have filled in and the early blooming woodland herbs have given way to summer wildflowers. For the birds, migration is coming to an end and nesting is in full swing. 

"Mayflying" at Greenfield 

Since March, I have taken many walks around Greenfield Lake and saw the bottomland forests and gardens transition from a barren winter landscape to a sea of green in the timeframe of two months. Migratory songbirds have come and gone. All winter residents except for some Cedar Waxwings and some Cormorants have left for their breeding grounds. Most breeding residents are now in place with active nests throughout. May is the time when birdlife begins to wind down as birds shift their focus to raising their young. In place of birds, there will be butterflies, dragonflies, bees/wasps, frogs, and reptiles to enjoy around the park, and as of May 4th, I already heard my first cicada of the season (a Hieroglyphic Cicada). Below is an update of what's going  on at Greenfield Lake as of May 13th, 2020.

Observations 

• Grey Catbirds, Yellow Throated Warblers, Protonotary Warblers, Parulas, Gnatcatchers, Orchard Orioles, Crested Flycatchers, and Red Eyed Vireos are the most numerous summer residents. 

• Most bird species present in the park are breeders with the exception of small groups of waxwings, some Double Crested Cormorants, and late migrants such as Blackpoll Warblers, and Blue Grosbeaks. 

• There are Tree, Barn, Rough Winged Swallows, Purple Martins, and Sand Martins (Bank Swallow) over the lake as well as many Chimney Swifts 

• A family of Wood Ducks and a single family of Canada Geese have young at the park 

•  Common and Fish Crows are nesting in the woodland on the eastern side of the park

• Most Common Grackles nesting along the water have chicks, while the Red Winged Blackbirds are breeding between the Large Wooden Bridge and a picnic area near a section called Jackson Point. 

• There are at least two Red Shouldered Hawk pairs, a Mississippi Kite pair, Cooper's Hawk, nesting in the park along with the resident Barred Owls 

• Most woodpeckers have fledglings at this point, as does the two White Breasted Nuthatch pairs

• As for non-avian wildlife, there are turtles (Sliders and Snapping Turtles) laying eggs, young alligators, and plenty of Grey Squirrels (and even saw a Fox Squirrel)

• With trees filled in, look in the meadows or lawns for wildflowers such as fleabane, coreopsis, Lyre Leaved Sage, clover, and various lilies 

• Carolina Rose, Buttonbush, Titi, and Tulip Poplar are among the blooming shrubs.

• Keep an eye out for Least Terns feeding over the lake, especially near the Boathouse and Lock Channel (Levy) area.

Highlighted Park Residents 

1/8: American Alligator Mar 2020

2/8: Male Protonotary Warbler near Wood Bridge, Apr 2020

3/8: Mississippi Kite near chosen nest tree

4/8: Red Shouldered Hawk overlooking meadow, May 2020

5/8: Male Red Winged Blackbird near Jackson Point picnic area, May 2020

6/8: Common Snapping Turtle laying eggs near Boathouse, May 2020

7/8: White Breasted Nuthatch holding worm with fledgling, Apr 2020

8/8: Male Wood Duck near Boathouse after he chased off a rival, May 2020

Hugh McRae Park

Wilmington Birding Part II: Longleaf Park

Formerly Hugh McRae Park 

Editor's Note: As of July 13th, 2020, the county renamed this park to "Longleaf Park"

Shelter and second parking area at the front of the park.

Hugh McRae Park (now Longleaf Park) is a county-owned park located at the center of New Hanover County and is one of the most popular parks in the Wilmington Area. This park is a bit more manicured than Greenfield Lake but still hosts many species of birds throughout the year. The park is also a good place for beginners as it is accessible, relatively open, and has most of the habitat elements you might find in the wind. Overall this park is one of my favorites as it host more "Pineland Species" than other parks and is one of the few places where Red Headed Woodpeckers, Common Flickers, and during the winter grassland species like Larks are present. Even with its location between two major roads (College Road and Oleander Drive) and a high volume of visitors, this place has the acreage and habitat to support a large number of species. 

Features

According to the county website, Hugh McRae Park has amenities for exercise, athletics, children, and and special events. In addition to this, the park has a manmade pond with gardens and trees around it, multiple shelters that can be reserved, and a 2.5km or 1.55mi paved walking trail. There is plenty of parking, restrooms, and other facilities that make this a good place for exercise, casual birding, or just to relax. 

• Various sporting facilities 
• Playgrounds and other amenities 
•  2.5km (1.55mi) walking trail 
• Pond with bridge 
• A wooded nature trail (which requires crossing College Road at the crosswalk. 

Ecological Features 

From an ecological standpoint, Hugh McRae Park appears to be a highly manicured park that is mowed constantly, and busy with people. However, the park is one of the few examples of open Pinelands in the Wilmington Area and even without the understory of grasses and wildflowers the trees are still widely spaced and wooded copses along the park's borders are good spots for migrants. Other features include meadows, lawns and sports fields that provide open habitat for grassland species, several garden areas (including one with native shrubs), and a small pond on the southern part of the main park. 

Main Park

Longleaf Pines and mowed grass, reminiscent of a Pine Savanna

The majority of the park is made up of open space with Longleaf Pines evenly spaced throughout. This density is consistent with natural pine savannas and barrens and the only thing that is missing is the prairie like understory and peatlands. This type of habitat is where you will find Pine Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, and Red Headed Woodpeckers in good numbers along with more diverse species. There are also oaks, hickories, dogwoods, crepe myrtles, beeches, and other trees mixed in to the landscape as well as patches of woodland. The ballfields might host larks, pipits, and other open field species, while the hedges and copses are where migrating warblers, vireos, and flycatchers feed. 

Pond Area

Gardens with pond in distance, bridge is on the right between the pines.

 The Pond is located on the southern end of the park and has an artificial fishpond stocked with koi and other fish. While this pond is not as productive as natural wetlands and waterways, its ecological impact should not be overlooked. The pond itself hosts a few native fish species, various frogs (bullfrogs, leopard frogs, tree frogs, toads), turtles, and has a some resident ducks and geese. You may occasionally find migrating waterfowl such as Northern Shovelers, Mallards, and even the odd vagrant, while herons, ibis, osprey, and kingfishers can stop by at any time of the year. The area around the pond is somewhat manicured with hedges azaleas, camellias and boxwoods, widely scattered pines, oaks, maples, ash, and Baldcypress trees, and flowerbeds. While this is not the best habitat, it is still good for common species and migrants.

Nature Trail (Across the Street)

Marsh Area in Early Summer

The Hugh McRae Nature Trail is a wooded trail located across the street from the same park and is best visited on a separate outing as crossing College Road can be a hassle. This park can be accessed from the NHC Senior Center and is another good place to test your skills in a woodland. This park has a paved trail and includes a wooden bridge that overlooks a freshwater marsh and remnant swamp. The rest of the trail consists of mixed forests with pines, oaks, hickories, maples, sweet gums, and dogwoods. The presence of the main road and a power line cut does lower the ecological value of the park, but any patch of woodland that is protected will help declining birds. In this section of the park you will mostly see forest species such as chickadees, Brown Headed or White Breasted Nuthatch, Yellow Throated Warblers, and several woodpecker species with autumn and winter being the best times to visit. In the wetland there could be waterfowl, bitterns, herons, Spotted Sandpipers, kingfishers, and even Rusty Blackbirds. 

Notable Bird Species 

Broad Winged Hawk at Hugh McRae, October 2019

Main Park: The main section of the park is one of the best places to identify and learn the songs of Pineland Birds. The park hosts Pine Warblers, Brown Headed Nuthatches, Chipping Sparrows, Red Headed Woodpeckers, and Eastern Bluebirds year-round while this park is one of the few places where Common Flickers nest in our region. 

In addition to these highlights, there are all of the usual woodland and meadow species such as chickadees, Downy, Red Bellied, and Pileated Woodpeckers, House Finches, goldfinches, and American Robins as well as resident Red Tailed, and Cooper's Hawk. I am not sure what owls are present although based on the open woodland habitat Great Horned Owl seems to be the most likely candidate. 

Ballfields: The sports complexes should not be overlooked, especially in the autumn and winter. Between games, the baseball fields might host flocks of blackbirds and starlings (which may contain meadowlarks or other followers), ibis, pipits, larks and falcons. This is also a possible habitat for Upland Sandpipers, Kestrels, and unusual geese. 

Pond: Expect to see mostly Canada Geese (mainly in winter) and a few domesticated ducks at the pond. However, keep an eye out for autumn or winter visitors such as shovelers, teal, widgeons and even out-of-range geese (usually one or two at a time). Any pond with fish will be visited by herons, osprey, eagles, and kingfishers. The area around the pond could be a magnet for autumn or spring migrants including transient Protonotary or Yellow Warblers.

Nature Trail: Look for common woodland species like chickadees, nuthatches, gnatcatchers, woodpeckers, Pine/Yellow Throated Warblers, as well as autumn migrants. The wetland could host Wood Ducks, bitterns, herons, kingfishers, Red Winged Blackbirds, and even grebes. There is a resident Red Shouldered Hawk as well.  

Birding Experience 

Same Wetland during the Autumn

Hugh McRae Park is a good park to learn the basics of birding or bird photography without the challenges of a woodland or national park. Most common species of gardens and parks are present as well as a few specalized birds with the Red Headed Woodpecker being quite rare these days. The park is easily walked by people of all ages, has plenty of parking, and open spaces make it easy to train binoculars or take photos without obstructing people exercising or walking. Visit this park during the spring and summer for Chipping Sparrows, flickers, and Red Headed Woodpeckers, while autumn and winter could bring almost in anything. Hugh McRae is also one of the places where you can see multiple types of habitat in one place and is a "sampler" for new residents, visitors, and beginning birders.