Our birdman still can’t find the owls—but he predicted that

BY JOHN KARRIGAN

Well, I was right about something last month.

I still do not have any luck finding owls in town. I have not seen the Long-eared Owl or any other owl, since its one-day appearance on May 2. Though I have seen a Cooper’s Hawk on several occasions. Once, late in May, one came by me, quite close, as I was near the south side of the lake. It was a short and unexpected view, but the hawk seemed to be carrying something. I thought I saw where it had landed in the southwest part of the park. I was right, and found the hawk in a medium-sized tree with its prey. (I think it was a House Sparrow.)
The hawk was tearing apart the small bird and, as I got closer, it seemed to be watching me, and trying to warn me off with loud calls. In my attempts to see its prey, I kept moving to different angles with little luck. I was not very close but I guess it was actually watching me. After another move of about 5 feet, I looked up again and the hawk (with prey) had quietly and completely disappeared. I had no idea which way it went. That was quite an interesting experience while it lasted.

Another bird that disappeared with no trace is the white domestic duck. I last saw it on May 7. I don’t know if it fell prey to some animal or if a human with good or bad intentions got it.

Shortly after that, another “odd duck” arrived at the lake: A male Redhead on May 12. I last saw it on May 25 but it might still be around. Various people mentioned it to me as I wandered around the lake, some who recognized me as the internationally famous author and others who thought I was just a delusional soul with a pair of binoculars. People would say, “What is that red-headed duck?” and I would reply, “A Redhead,” sort of a bird version of “Who’s on First?” But that is its name. It is the first one I have ever seen at Powderhorn, but a fairly common duck to Midwest duck hunters. Quite a striking bird, all in all, with a black-tipped blue bill, and, when in the sun, its red head looking brilliant.

The usual ducks seem to be doing fine, with several broods of Mallard and Wood Duck ducklings. And the Canada Geese have at least three broods. The first one started hatching the day after I wrote my May column.

One or two Great Blue Heron are on the lake often, but not every day, and a Green Heron is also there every few days. Still no Egrets or Black-crowned Night Herons that I know of, but one day a small flock of Egrets flew over the lake.
I tripled my warbler sightings in the park, but that only means from one to three species. Along with a few Yellow-rumped Warblers (way fewer than most years), I have seen Palm Warblers and Common Yellow-throats. The Yellow-throats are still there (in the lake shore vegetation near the athletic fields) but you have to be very patient and observant to see them.

Eastern Phoebes are still here, and I think nesting. Eastern Kingbirds arrived late in May, a little later than usual, and probably are nesting. Hermit Thrushes remain in the park and neighborhood and could be nesting also. Usually they just pass through.

A Great-crested Flycatcher made a short and semi-regular (every few years) stop on the east side of the park early in May.
Swallows and Chimney Swifts (and big dragonflies) are back cruising over the water for insects but the tasty flying insect populations are not very large so far this year.

The relatively new and fairly expensive lake aeration system is now turned on. The new park maintenance person, who seems to be a very nice young guy, apparently had been told nothing about the existence of the system. A few of us crotchety, graying regulars talked to him about it and now it is working. Thank you.

The yard birds have not been too numerous in May. The only babies I have seen have been English Sparrows. On one hot early May evening, there were at least eight kinds of birds in a nice old tree across the alley, including Cedar Waxwings, Hermit Thrushes, Goldfinches, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Cardinals, Robins, English Sparrows, and an unidentified migrant emberizine sparrow. There must have been a good insect hatch of some kind.
A handsome Chipping Sparrow was walking back and forth on the patio for some time this afternoon, just before I wrote this. He (or she) was picking up and eating tiny things that I could not even see, probably the tiny black, green or red insects that end up on me after some trips through the yard. I think I accidentally have eaten some, but I don’t do it on purpose.
Comments and observations are always welcome. Send them to me, in care of the Southside Pride. Thank you.