Fairly Stationary Barred Owls

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

Barred owls don’t migrate, and they don’t even move around very much. According to AllAboutbirds.org, of 158 birds that were banded and then found later, none had moved farther than 6 miles away.

Photo: Barred owl by Bill Steffen. 

#animals #birds #Owl #nature #wildlife 




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Killdeer Nest

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

Be on the lookout, especially in gravel roads, for killdeer nests. The nest pictured here is found along our main road and is marked, to protect it, with some large rocks. Downy young leave the nest soon after hatching.

Photo: Killdeer nest by Carolyn Gregory/USFWS.

#animals #bird #killdeer #nest #eggs #nature #wildlife 

#USFWS 

041317

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The Great Blue Heron

#Tuesday

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

In flight, the great blue heron curls its neck into a tight “S” shape; its wings are broad and rounded and its legs trail well beyond the tail. 

Photo: Great blue heron by Candy Chambers/USFWS. 

#animals #birds #heron #wildlife #nature #USFWS 




040417

Lesser Scaup

#Monday

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

The lesser scaup is a small North American diving duck that migrates south as far as Central America in winter. We are seeing a few around the refuge now.

Photo: Lesser scaup by Candy Chambers/USFWS. 




040317 

Red-winged Blackbirds

#Friday

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

“Birds of a feather flock together,” is particularly true with blackbirds. They are noisy, announcing their spring arrival.

Photo: Red-winged blackbirds by Candy Chambers/USFWS. 




033117 

Bald Eagles

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

It's that time of year when bald eagles are nesting on the refuge! Eggs are typically laid the last week of February and they hatch the last week of March. Young will remain in the nest, cared for by both parents, until about mid-June.

Bald eagles by Candy Chambers/USFWS.




032117 

Cinnamon teal (Anas cyanoptera)

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

A special sighting this week---a cinnamon teal at the refuge! The bird was spotted in the pond east of Big Pond road at the turn around.

Photo: Cinnamon teal by Candy Chambers/USFWS. 




#StPatricksDay

Happy St Patrick's Day! 

Coyotes in moist soil unit

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

Can you spot the two coyotes?

Photo: Coyotes in moist soil unit by Bill Steffan. 


#USFWS #Coyote 



031617

#Red-tailed Hawk

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

Probably the most common hawk in North America is the red-tailed hawk. A person can see one or more on most every long drive. If you want to hear their call or scream, go to https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-tailed_Hawk/sounds

Photo: Red-tailed hawk by Bill Steffen. 




#PiDay #314Day 

American White Pelicans

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

#USFWS

It's a pelican kind of day! This morning we were greeted to several American white pelicans on the office pond.

Photo: American white pelicans by Candy Chambers/USFWS. 




030717 

The Barred Owl

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:


#USFWS #Bird

According to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology website, the barred owl is originally a bird of the east. During the twentieth century it spread through the Pacific Northwest and southward into California. You can read more about this bird at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/id

Photo: Barred owl by Jennie Townsend 




030217 

Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

Named for the rich red hues that many fox sparrows wear, this species is nevertheless one of our most variable birds, with four main groups that can range from foxy red to gray to dark brown. Since they breed primarily in remote areas, many people see them in winter when the birds move into backyard thickets. (Excerpt from AllAboutBirds.org)

Photo: Fox sparrow by Jennie Townsend. 




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Gadwalls

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

Gadwalls, which are currently using the refuge, are dabbling ducks—they ride fairly high in the water and they tip forward to graze on submerged plants that they can reach with their outstretched necks. They rarely dive. (Excerpt from AllAboutBirds.org)

Photo: Gadwalls by Jennie Townsend. 




020917 

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

The American kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. 

Photo: American kestrel by Jennie Townsend.




020117 

Northern Harrier ||| 013117

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

#USFWS #Bird

Northern harriers are one of the most common raptors we see on the refuge the fall, winter, and early spring.

Photo: Northern harrier by Jennie Townsend.




013117 

Hard To Mistake These Guys For Something Else

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

Bandit-masked and ring-tailed, raccoons are easily identifiable to both little kids and adults. There are six other species of raccoons, in addition to the familiar northern (North American) raccoon. Most other species live on tropical islands.

Photo: Raccoon by Carolyn Gregory/USFWS.




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Baltimore Oriole Nest

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

Have you ever seen a nest like this one? We found this one recently and wanted to share! Baltimore orioles build such interesting, sock-like hanging nests made out of grass, strips of grapevine bark, wool, horsehair, as well as artificial fibers such as cellophane, twine or fishing line.

Photo: Baltimore oriole nest by Carolyn Gregory/USFWS.




12-19-16

Mallards Walking On Ice

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

Waterfowl numbers are really down, but there are still several mallards on the refuge.

Photo: Mallards walking on ice by Cody Alger/USFWS.

#USFWS 


12-16-16

Northern Harrier and Waterfowl

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

If you look carefully you will spot a northern harrier chasing the ducks!

Photo: Northern harrier and waterfowl by James Roane.

#USFWS


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Trumpeter Swan

From Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges:

Trumpeter swans look magnificent when stretching their wings!

Photo: Trumpeter swan by Cody Alger/USFWS.

#USFWS #Swan 


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