There are essential habitats for common, uncommon, and migratory birds throughout CBEC. According to eBird, you can witness over 240 species of birds throughout the year.
The habitats include:
Both male and female Northern Harriers are buoyantly gliding over the marsh at CBEC.
They are actively hunting their principal fare, meadow voles. The face of the Northern Harrier has owl-like features, and for good reason. The Harriers rely heavily on hunting by sound, although a visual look-see aids in
finding prey. The facial feature of a circular arrangement of feathers helps them catch the slightest sound of a rustle of rodent feet in the grass clumps. They glide low to the ground and listen with legs hanging down ready to pounce on an unsuspecting meadow vole. Unfortunately, the voles never look up.
Harriers circle an area in flight and then “grid” the area in search of prey. They fly low and quietly with ‘all ears catching sound and eyes on the ground.’ When prey is potentially detected they go into a “hover and pounce” maneuver. Their long wings and light weight give them an advantage on being able to ‘stop and turn on a dime.’ With adults this time of year, there aren’t many unsuccessful hunts.
Three other interesting facts about a hunting Northern Harrier are: 1) occasionally they will
perch in a bush or hide in a pile of sticks and leaf debris and when an unsuspecting bird lands nearby, they will burst out of hiding and snatch the prey; 2) when hunting waterfowl, if a duck is grabbed, the Harrier will hold it under water until it succumbs by drowning; and 3) when winter is hard and the pickings are slim relative to prey, the Harrier will feed on carrion, particularly dead ducks along iced shorelines.
Tis the time of year to grace the entrance road especially late afternoon and see if you spot a Northern Harrier on the hunt. It’s slow coursing style of flight and methodical drift over the marsh looking for prey will mesmerize you. The experience might even spark your interest in bird watching.
Some Birds you can see include:
Some Birds you can see include:
Some Birds you can see include:
Some Birds you can see include:
“Bird Observations.” Explore Data. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, n.d. Web. Nov.-Dec. 2016.
“Search Our Bird Guide.” All About Birds. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, n.d. Web. Nov.-Dec. 2016.
