By: Pat Coate

January 15th was the annual waterfowl and eagle count for the Buffalo Ornithological Society. Tim, Bert and I covered a section of Cattaraugus County in Western New York. Despite the warmer than average winter, that day started off at -10 degrees but we forged on, adding further evidence to my husband’s theory that birders are an odd lot.

Waterfowl counts were down significantly from prior years. The prevailing thought was that a lot of water to the north (like Lake Erie) was not yet frozen over, so the birds had not yet moved down our way to open water along the Allegheny River. We saw only five species of waterfowl, two bald eagles, and a total of just over 20 species on the day. It was still a fun day and Tim and Bert are excellent birders to spend time with. Full species list follows.

Canada Goose, Bald Eagle
Common Merganser, Blue Jay
Hooded Merganser, Coopers Hawk
Mallard, Great Blue Heron
American Black Duck, Rough-legged Hawk
Robin, Northern Cardinal
Tree Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee
American Crow, Common Raven
Rock Pigeon, European Starling
Red-tailed Hawk, Dark-eyed Junco
American Goldfinch

American Black Ducks with Common Merganser Pair

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By: Pat Coate

While hiking in Allegany State Park in early January we came across some bear tracks. In most winters the black bears of the park would be hibernating in their dens during January. But during warm spells like we had been experiencing, the bears may leave their dens to forage for food.

Hibernation* is pretty amazing – the bears don’t eat, drink or excrete. Their body produces food and water from breaking down fat. They don’t lose muscle mass. Their heart rate drops, often to less than 10 beats per minute, and their body temperature stays high due to their thick fur and high level of body fat. If their body temperature does start to fall, a shiver reflex is triggered which warms them up. Bears don’t hibernate to escape the cold, but as a method to cope with food scarcity.

*Technically bears don’t hibernate, it is more like an extended deep sleep from which they may occasionally awaken as evidenced by these tracks.

Bear Print – front paw

Back Paw with lens cap for size comparison

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By: Pat Coate

Took advantage of the continued mild winter and got a nice hike in over the weekend along the Conservation and part of the Finger Lakes/North Country Trail in Allegany State Park. The Conservation Trail is a 4+ mile loop that starts behind the Red House Administration Building.

It’s a beautiful trail up the mountain, passing through several evergreen stands providing thick enough cover to provide a snow-free trail. The less protected deciduous tree sections of the trail ranged from snow covered to muddy to sun-dried. There are numerous fallen trees to navigate and it seems the trail has not been cleared for many years, though it is well marked with blue, orange and white blazes (different legs of the trail are different colors).

Birds we heard or saw along the way included chickadee, junco, downy woodpecker, white-breasted nuthatch, blue jay, and raven. We also saw numerous animal tracks in the snow that I will post next week – including one surprise for this time of year.

Notice the porcupine damage to the sign

About 2 miles in you pass this old lean-to. A new one has been built about ½ mile further along the North Country/Finger Lakes trail.

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By: Pat Coate

The tufted titmouse is a somewhat infrequent visitor to our backyard feeder. So when this one stopped by this past fall I was happy to snap a few pictures.

These birds nest in pre-existing tree cavities, having to find ones made by other birds or natural ones as they are not able to create their own. Though I have never seen this, studies have shown that they often line their nests with hair. And it seems as though most any type will do as hair from livestock, raccoons and woodchucks, to mice and even humans has been found in their nests.

Tufted Titmouse

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Merry Christmas from Everyone at monarchbfly.com

Post has been created with my iPhone!

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