Day 216: August 3rd – Brigantine Babies

Hazy, hot (of course), and a light breeze

       If it was not for the light breezes that washed across the Brigantine Unit of Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge this morning, it could have been downright uncomfortable.  We had originally feared that the green flies known to swarm across the area were going to be our major concern.  But here again the winds were a Godsend. 

       We actually had a tolerable day weather and bug-wise and a better than average day bird-wise.  Add to this the fact that we were able to team up with an old “birding buddy” and you’ve got the makings of a great outing. 

       We ended up with a total of 55 species spotted…..a nice number for the middle of summer.  Above and beyond that, however, were the sightings of young birds.  Set against the backdrop of a richly-hued swamp-mallow adorned landscape, we had multiple sightings of some fine looking youngsters.

       Our first sighting of a chick came as we walked out onto the first boardwalk after entering the “Wildlife Drive”.  As we walked out onto the marsh, we heard the song of a Marsh wren….well, actually two marsh wrens.  We had good views of the pair and then Sharon located a nest buried in the sedges.  While there were no chicks noted here, we could only surmise that the wren chick was in the offing. 

       Just down the walk from the wrens, we heard the unmistakable call of the Clapper rail.  We searched for the bird, but as so often the case, the rail remain hidden in the deep vegetation.  Suddenly, out popped the rail and with it a really young chick.  Clapper chicks are precocious and can get around pretty well for themselves from day one.  They will hang out with Mom for some time until they can be sure of sustaining themselves.  This little guy will have its adult plumage by October of this year and by then be on its own.

       Other juveniles we came across on the boardwalk was this handsome little Great Crested flycatcher.  This bird’s appearance was quite similar to the adult, albeit not quite as colorful or quite as big.  Nor did this little fellow call or sing, perhaps a wise move until he becomes fully capable of evading predation.

       Next on the list…..a juvenile Black-crowned Night heron.  Perched in a bare dead sapling, he was still difficult to pick out.  Our party rode right on by this bird until friend Eugene got on the cell and called us back.  Again, it was obvious that when you are young and just learning the way of the world, it’s best to remain as invisible as possible, both visually and audibly.

       Final youngsters of the day were a considerable number of young Forster’s terns.  We found young chicks, first year juveniles and adults birds all co-mingling.

These were by far the most abundant young birds, at least by our count. 

       And so as we came around the final corner of the 8 mile loop, we decided to stop in at the last observation point, the “Experimental Pond Overlook”.  Sure enough, as we entered the parking area, we spooked a Wild turkey with, you guessed it, several young birds in tow.  And so it seems that all that nest courting, nest-building,  and love avian-style has been a major success story.  Glad we could be a part of it, even if only from the grandstands.