Nature Corner: Ducks Who Prefer Tree Cavities to Nests

by Wendy Oellers-Fulmer 4/30/2024

by Wendy Oellers-Fulmer

When observing a Hooded Merganser and his mate recently, we were surprised to learn that they join a small number of cavity nesters including Wood Ducks (perching ducks), Common Mergansers and Common Golden Eyes (Dabbling ducks). It seems strange to consider these heavy bottomed, webbed footed birds to have nests in tree cavities. They can’t build their own cavities, so will take over cavities that other birds have built.

Fun facts:

The tree nester ducks also have long toes with claws that help them perch in trees.
Although they prefer nests closer to the water, sometimes these nests can be up to a mile away and up to 50 feet high.
Cavity nesting ducks will sometimes lay their eggs in the nests of others….which can lead to a massive amount of eggs in one nest. i.e. Hooded Mergansers usually lay about 13 eggs, but scientists have discovered up to 44 eggs. This behavior is called brood parasitism.
The ducklings leave their nest cavity within 24 hours of hatching. They have specially designed tiny claws that allow them to climb up out of the cavity. Mama duck will make sure the ground is safe and then call to her babies, who sometimes have to jump 50 or more feet to the ground. These little fluff balls are so light that the fall to the ground doesn’t hurt them. They then follow the mama duck to the nearest body of water which can be up to a half-mile away.

Are Daffodils Narcissus or Narccissistic?

by Wendy Oellers-Fulmer 4/23/2024

Nature Corner: Are Daffodils Narcissus or Narcissistic?

by Wendy Oellers-Fulmer

Daffodils, (a.k.a. Narcissus) are a welcome harbinger of spring with their beautiful, bright yellow blooms. So many poets have written about their beauty, that they are also known as the “Poet’s Flower”.

Being narcissistic has a negative connotation (having an excessive interest in oneself and one's physical appearance), so how did these joyful flowers get their name?

Narcissus, from Greek mythology, was a hunter who was renowned for his extraordinary beauty. His story tells how he fell in love with his own reflection and became obsessed with it, not realizing its origin. Some versions of the myth tell how he beat his chest in absolute agony thinking he was being kept apart from his beloved, fell into the water and drowned. One version of the myth is that in his place, a flower bloomed, bearing his name Narcissus.

Nature Corner: Dynamic Tree Nesting Ducks - Part 1

by Wendy Oellers-Fulmer 4/16/2024

Nature Corner: Dynamic Tree Nesting Ducks - Part 1

by Wendy Oellers-Fulmer

On a recent hike near a pond in Maine, we were delighted to see the dramatic display of a Hooded Merganser performing a courtship ritual to attract a female.

Hooded Mergansers are diving ducks that use their thin, serrated bills to both catch and hold on to their prey. They dine primarily on crustaceans, fish and insects in shallow ponds, streams and wetlands.

During courtship, the males raise their white crests, shaking their heads and expanding the crest patch into a striking pompadour. The male then throws back his head touching his back, crest raised, while croaking like a frog to complete his elaborate efforts to attract a mate.

This courtship ritual continued for a while, but eventually the male was rewarded and a female came swimming over to join him.

Bird Nerd Facts

by Wendy Oellers-Fulmer, 4/9/2024

Nature Corner: Bird Nerd Facts

by Wendy Oellers-Fulmer

Last week’s Spring Nor’Easter brought ice, snow and wind. Despite the battling winds, there was constant bird activity on our deck feeders. Observing them while tucked snuggly inside, I was once again in awe how these small creatures survived and stayed warm in such brutal weather.

Our Avian neighbors who are here all year long, have several strategies:

Winter weight: During the late summer and fall, birds will pack on extra weight in preparation for the cold months ahead.
Winter Wear: While we dig out our warm clothes when the weather get cold, birds will grow extra feathers. Birds can trap air in their feathers, creating a layer of insulated warmth.
Feather Care: The effectiveness of this insulation is dependent on the maintenance of dry, clean and flexible feathers. Preening is the process birds will use to clean their feathers.
Waterproofing: Part of the preening includes waterproofing. All birds have a special gland near their tails which produces oil. Some birds will use that oil to waterproof their feathers. Other species, like mourning doves, grow specialized feathers that eventually dissolve into a waterproofing powder.
Shivering: Like humans, to stay warm, birds will shiver. The rates of their metabolism is much higher than ours and they need to continually eat to maintain body temperatures and energy expenditures. .
Snuggling: Birds will cuddle in together to share the heat of their bodies. Some will crowd together in evergreen trees, shrubs and vines. Others will use cavities, either natural or nesting boxes.
Protecting Feet: Birds have scales on their legs and feet that are specialized to protect against the cold. Waterfowl have a special adaptation that allows them to isolate the blood flow in their legs, keeping it from circulating and chilling the rest of their bodies. They will also give their feet a break by standing on one foot.

Be Careful & Be Safe

by Wendy Oellers-Fulmer, 4/2/2024

Nature Corner: Be Careful & Be Safe - Your Eyes Will Thank You

by Wendy Oellers-Fulmer

With all of the excitement over the upcoming Solar Eclipse on April 8, here are some important reminders to keep your eyes safe when viewing this rare event.

Whether or not you are in the “path of totality” (where you’ll be able to see the total eclipse), it is not safe at all to look directly at the sun without specially designed protection for viewing.

The potential for severe damage for your eyes can include viewing through binoculars, camera lenses or even a telescope, unless they have special-purpose filters securely attached. Specially designed “Eclipse glasses”are not like our regular sunglasses and are thousands of times darker and should adhere to ISO 12312-2 standards.

An alternative is to view the eclipse indirectly, which avoids looking directly at the sun. A pinhole projector is one way, where the pinhole projects the image of the sun onto a closely surface. Once again, do not look directly at the sun through the pinhole!

The next total solar eclipse won’t occur until 2044. So if you are excited about seeing this rare event, make sure you put safety practices into place.