Each May, an amazing bird, called a Red Knot makes a pit stop on the Delaware Bay to “fuel up.”

This year, I was fortunate enough to witness this phenomenon at Cook’s Beach in Cape May County, NJ.

Red Knots join other shorebirds and gulls for a nutrient-rich snack as Horseshoe Crabs come ashore to lay their eggs

Fuel up, you ask?  

Well, they are on a long journey…  9300 miles, to be exact…

Where are they going, and what are they doing?

They are on their way (via the Atlantic Flyway) from their wintering grounds in Tierra del Fuego, South America, headed north to the Arctic to breed.

Why the Delaware Bay?

Delaware Bay is the last stop on this journey before they head straight to the Arctic!

What are they “fueling up” on?

Horseshoe Crab eggs!

Why are there Horseshoe Crab eggs on the beach?

Each May, Horseshoe Crabs arrive on the shores to lay their eggs on the protected beaches around the Delaware Bay.

A female can lay multiple clusters of 4,000 eggs per cluster…. up to as many as 100,000 total eggs!

The combination of sand and pebbles on the beach make it the ideal terrain for the eggs to incubate.

Oh great, so there’s an endless supply of food source, right?

Well, no!  Unfortunately, historically, Horseshoe Crabs have been harvested for a number of reasons.

Why are Horseshoe Crabs harvested?

• for their blood (which is used to make a clotting agent in human medicine.)
• for bait
• for fertilizer
• for animal food

Is anything being done to stop the harvesting?

In 1998, The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, representing 15 states from Maine to Florida, developed a horseshoe crab management plan.

In March 2008, NJ Audubon led the charge to “Halt the Harvest,” moratorium legislation signed by then governor, Jon Corzine.

So all is well that ends well?

It’s not that simple. Because the harvest represents a lot of profit, there is constant pressure to have the ban lifted by lobbyists… which is why if you care, you  must stay VIGILANT!

Where can I learn more?

http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionConservation/ShorebirdHorseshoeCrabConservationCampaign.aspx

http://www.njaudubon.org/Portals/10/Conservation/PDF/red_knot150.pdf

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/literature/crab-harvest_delbay_knots.pdf

http://www.defenders.org/press-release/red-knot-wintering-population-drops-more-5000-accelerating-slide-extinction

This year, after a slow start to spring migration, one night (May 9, 2013,) the RADAR lit up with signs of migration. The next day,  I went about my daily business, and attended my “9-5 job” in Jersey City, stepped off the bus, and was shocked at what I saw – CARNAGE!

I discovered the bodies of 4 birds (1 female Common Yellowthroat (pictured below), and 3 White-throated Sparrows (in a line) along with 1 very stunned and unresponsive Catbird.)

That was just in my half-block walk from the bus to my building’s entrance. I can only wonder what I would have tallied had I walked around the building, or down the block for that matter.

This female Common Yellowthroat was one victim of a building strike after a heavy night of migration in urban Jersey City, NJ (May 10, 2013)

 

This got me thinking… what role do man-made structures play in conservation issues?

I was aware there was an impact, but just didn’t realize how wide-spread the issue was, until I was faced with five victims literally right under my feet!

It is estimated that a billion birds die each year when they collide with buildings, wind turbines and communication towers.

The American Bird Conservancy shared the following statistics on their website which paints a brutal picture:

Collisions with:	Year of estimate	Mortality estimate low	Mortality estimate high
Wind turbines	2009/10	100,000 (2010)	440,000 (2009)
Towers	2008	4,000,000	50,000,000
Power lines	2001	10,000,000	154,000,000
Roads/vehicles	2005	10,700,000	380,000,000
Urban light	2009	31,158,000
Glass	2006	100,000,000	1,000,000,000

• In the case of building strikes, birds are not able to distinguish between reflections and reality. It is reported that over 300  species of birds have been victims of building strikes in the U.S.
  • Existing structures can incorporate elements to buildings to create “visual barriers” which the birds are able to distinguish as an obstacle.
• An estimated 7 million birds are killed each year when the strike communication towers. Species of concern that have been noted in high volumes include: Wood Thrush, Golden-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, and Seaside Sparrow.
  • One study suggests that by replacing non-blinking (aviation safety) lights atop these towers with strobe-type lights, the numbers of kills are greatly reduced.

In 2010, the House of Representatives introduced H.R.4797 – the Federal Bird-Safe Buildings Act of 2010 “to amend title 40, United States Code, to direct the Administrator of General Services to incorporate bird-safe building materials and design features into public buildings, and for other purposes.”     

The bill died, and was reintroduced in 2011 as H.R. 1643 – Federal Bird-Safe Buildings Act of 2011 which also died when it was referred to committee.

We can each help by making our own spaces visually “safe” for birds, and encouraging legislators to support bills like the ones mentioned above. Persistance pays off, and we can have a voice if we all join together.

 

For more information, visit:

American Bird Conservancy : http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/collisions/index.html

Birds and Buildings : http://www.birdsandbuildings.org/

Aside from the birds, BIRDING can bring you to amazing places with amazing people! People with a vast knowledge of many topics. April 14, 2013 was no exception…. in search of the somewhat secretive Bachman’s Sparrow, we wound up at The Nature Conservancy’s Splinter Hill Bog Preserve in the Baldwin County, Alabama.

 

Aside from lifing Bachman’s Sparrow, I fell in love with a plant I heard so much about as a child in science class – the carnivorous Pitcher Plant!

The preserve is comprised of 627 acres of longleaf pine and bog habitat and is home to 5 different types of Pitcher Plants (a subset of the 12 total carnivorous plants that reside here.)

 

At the time we visited, the White-topped pitcher plant (Sarracenia leucophylla) was beginning to sprout.

 

Pitcher plants are carnivorous with nectar glands at the top of the “pitcher” which lure insects in.

The inside of the “pitcher” is slippery. Insects slip to the bottom of the “pitcher” where digestive enzymes consume the insect.

 

Pitcher-plant flowers develop March – April on long, leafless stalks. (Pictured is the crimson flower of the White-topped Pitcher Plant.)

To witness this natural wonder firsthand really makes one stop and wonder – how did this plant evolve with such genius?

You should go see for yourself!

To visit the preserve:

From I-65, take exit 45 (Perdido/Rabun). Take Baldwin County Road 47 West approximately 1.3 miles to the parking lot on the right or travel 0.1 miles to Splinter Hill Road. Turn right on Splinter Hill Road and travel approximately 0.4 miles to the parking lot on the left across from Turberville Lane.

3 States, 4 Days, 149 Species, 6 Lifers for LAM, 1 for RF.. and lots of surprises!

That is a pretty good summary of what Rob and I encountered in our long weekend in the Gulf Coast April 12-15. Our birding started from the second we stepped off the plane in Mississippi and ended as we stepped on the plane in Alabama!

Sunset on Dauphin Island, AL

A high-level overview of our itinerary  as follows:

• Day 1 – Mississippi – the I-90 Corridor and into Alabama (birded the “welcome center” and made our way as sun was setting) to Dauphin Island.
• Day 2 – Dauphin Island
• Day 3 – AM Stormy weather – Heavy Rains (did some birding from the covered pier) /PM Birding  through the Delta (Bachman’s Sparrow was primary target)
• Day 4 – Urban Birding in Louisiana (at Audubon Park in New Orleans.)

Our most coveted bird ( A lifer for both of us)

Bachman’s Sparrow sings its sweet song

My most wanted:

I have always wanted to see an Anhinga…. we headed to a known spot (Audubon Park, New Orleans, LA) and searched.. and searched.. and searched… Just as we gave up and were returning to our car, we spotted something soaring, until it descended and settled in the trees at the rookery!!!!!

Our biggest surprise:

Roseate Spoonbill on the side of the causeway in Mobile, AL

Our second biggest surprise?  Running into people we know from Cape May (who live in Georgia)

Best Shorebird:

Wilson’s Plover

Great to see:

Brown-headed Nuthatch

A Black-bellied Whistling Duck poses in New Orleans

Mottled Duck

MIGRANTS! MIGRANTS! MIGRANTS!

Amazing Birds seen but not Photographed well (c’mon, you’ve all got these shots on your memory card!):

Magnificent Frigatebird follows a shrimp boat during a storm on Dauphin Island

Swallow-tailed Kite (one of at least 2 seen) dives behind a tree

Complete list below:

Total # of Species: 149
Location(s):   Alabama; Audubon Park; Baldwin; Dauphin Island; Louisiana; Mississippi; Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR; MobileBlack-bellied Whistling-Duck
Canada Goose
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type)
Wood Duck
Mallard
Mallard (Domestic type)
Mottled Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon
Magnificent Frigatebird
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Anhinga
American White Pelican
Brown Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Reddish Egret
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
White Ibis
Roseate Spoonbill
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Swallow-tailed Kite
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Bald Eagle
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Clapper Rail
Sora
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden-Plover
Wilson’s Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Killdeer
American Oystercatcher
Black-necked Stilt
Solitary Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Willet
Lesser Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Least Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Wilson’s Snipe
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Least Tern
Caspian Tern
Forster’s Tern
Royal Tern
Sandwich Tern
Black Skimmer
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Acadian Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Loggerhead Shrike
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
crow sp.
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Black-and-white Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Cerulean Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Bachman’s Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Proof that birding is many times more about the PEOPLE!     A heart-felt thank you to our hosts for the weekend, Joan and Tom. I am always grateful for your southern hospitality and wealth of knowledge! Looking forward to hosting you in NJ!

 

 

 

 

Occasionally, OCD birders do “normal” things, like go to a baseball game during opening weekend.. so when Rob and I scored tickets to see the Phillies, the next logical question to follow was:

“Where are we birding before the game?”

Granted, we kicked around birding locally before taking off for the game or even going to Cape May beforehand, but why not take the opportunity to explore a new spot? and then the AH HA!  John Heinz NWR.

I had always passed it on my way to the Philadelphia airport. I attempted to bird there once (when a message came about my lifer White Ibis at Brig).. and had to cut that visit short. But now is the perfect time.

Even more perfect, was the fact that a volunteer-guided bird walk was scheduled with Edie Parnum (who regularly leads walks at Heinz) and friends (thanks Edie, Michael and Denis!)

What a great opportunity – see some great birds, welcome back spring and meet new friends who can teach us about a wonderful new location!

Our walk began with Wild Turkeys putting on a show at the feeders viewable from the visitor’s center

We met our group at 9am and walked the boardwalk and trails and tallied 48 species. (Many of which were welcome signs of spring!)  (see eBird report below)

Not to be missed are: Feeder views from the Visitors’ center, the nesting Bald Eagles, the Marsh Trail and..well.. everything in between!

One of the many water features that makes Heinz a great place to view waterfowl!

Tree Swallows are a sure sign of spring

If you ever have the opportunity to visit, I highly recommend it. What a wonderful birding location, right in the middle of an urban setting. The diverse habitat is great for seeing many different kinds of birds! I’m sure we will be back!

John Heinz NWR at Tinicum (IBA), Philadelphia, US-PA
Apr 7, 2013 8:48 AM – 11:48 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments:     field trip
48 species

Canada Goose  X
Mute Swan  3
Wood Duck  2
Gadwall  X
Northern Shoveler  X
Northern Pintail  X     several–good scope looks
Green-winged Teal  X
Bufflehead  4
Wild Turkey  15
Double-crested Cormorant  X
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Turkey Vulture  X
Bald Eagle  2     ad. + nest
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  1
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Ring-billed Gull  X
Caspian Tern  2
Great Horned Owl  2     nest w/ ad. + Juv.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1     fem
Downy Woodpecker  X
Northern Flicker  2
Eastern Phoebe  2
Fish Crow  X
Tree Swallow  X
Carolina Chickadee  X
Tufted Titmouse  X
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  X
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
American Robin  X
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  X
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Field Sparrow  1
Fox Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  X
White-throated Sparrow  X
Dark-eyed Junco  X
Northern Cardinal  X
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Rusty Blackbird  3
Common Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
American Goldfinch  X
House Sparrow  X

As for the Phillies game, we saw a great game (despite the Phillies’ loss) and tallied a decent 7 species for our “Ballpark List” (Proof that birders never really take time off from their passion!)

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, US-PA
Apr 7, 2013 12:30 PM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments:     Incidental list during Royals vs. Phillies Game

7 species

Red-tailed Hawk  1
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Rock Pigeon  X
Mourning Dove  X
Common Grackle  X
House Sparrow  X

MODOs on a wire – Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA)

Many birders in the Coastal NJ counties have longed for the day that they can return to certain birding spots temporarily claimed by Superstorm Sandy. One of the first to re-open is Edwin B Forsythe NWR (affectionately known as “Brig” to many birders.)

Effective 4-6-13, Wildlife Drive will be open on weekends only, with construction continuing during the week.

 

Much along the lines of visiting your favorite ballpark on opening day, Rob and I decided to take a trip down and enjoy a “loop.”

The refuge appears to be in great shape for the most part. The roads are not paved, but the “mess” has been cleared away!

Still more work to do, but nice to visit a familiar friend in the meantime

One major change that stood out was the clearing of trees that once separated the end of the Wildlife Drive from the pond at Jenn’s Trail.

In their own words (from Facebook):

With the Wildlife Drive reopenng, visitors may notice evidence of recent habitat management the refuge has been conducting. Here’s the lowdown on what we did and why:

WHAT WE DID: Cut back the growth.
Using a powerful tool known as a hydro-axe, we cut down shrubs and trees, setting the growth of the forest back to the valuable scrub-shrub stage. This management will favor grasses, forbs, and especially fruit-producing shrubs and trees, including blackberry, viburnums, and cherry.

WHY WE DID IT: Management made better habitat for wildlife in the long run.
Some animals like meadows, some like forest, but many prefer an in-between habitat known as scrub-shrub. Here at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, we manage habitats for all kinds of wildlife, including scrub-shrub users.

WHO BENEFITS? Special scrub-shrub species.
Scrub-shrub management helps special species including American woodcock, brown thrasher, eastern meadowlark, blue grosbeak, eastern towhee, wintering and migrating land birds, cottontail rabbits, butterflies, and many others.

The birdies are back too!!! (click to enjoy these photos in a larger size)

American Oystercatcher

Great Egret

Lesser Yellowlegs

 

Ospreys Mating

Snow Geese and Gulls
Photo by Rob Fanning

Snowy Egret over Shovelers

Checklist as follows:

E. B. Forsythe NWR (Brigantine Unit), Atlantic, US-NJ
Apr 6, 2013 9:20 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
38 species (+1 other taxa)

Snow Goose  6
Brant  X
Canada Goose  X
American Black Duck  X
Mallard  X
Northern Shoveler  X
Green-winged Teal  X
Greater/Lesser Scaup  X
Bufflehead  X
Red-breasted Merganser  X
Double-crested Cormorant  X
Great Blue Heron  X
Great Egret  X
Snowy Egret  2
Turkey Vulture  X
Osprey  X
American Oystercatcher  4
Lesser Yellowlegs  X
Ring-billed Gull  X
Herring Gull  X
Great Black-backed Gull  X
Red-bellied Woodpecker  X
Blue Jay  X
American Crow  X
Fish Crow  X
Tree Swallow  X
Carolina Chickadee  X
Tufted Titmouse  X
Golden-crowned Kinglet  X
American Robin  X
Pine Warbler  2
White-throated Sparrow  X
Dark-eyed Junco  X
Northern Cardinal  X
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
House Finch  X
American Goldfinch  1
House Sparrow  X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13653486

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/content/nj)

…. To get to the Vernal Pool of course!

With Easter dinner settling in our tummies, and March Madness calmed down, the question was, just veg on the couch or head over to Beekman Road in East Brunswick to see a remarkable sight and a sure sign of spring?

A text came earlier in the day that with mild temps (46ºF) and a light drizzle, conditions seemed good for Spotted Salamander migration. But, it is thought that much of the migration had already occurred when I was sidelined by another sign of spring – my annual sinus infection.

Full of Ravioli and amazing cheeses and Italian pastry, I admit, the sofa was calling. BUT THEN the tweet came…  a photo – A Spotted Salamander (in hand) with the caption “Now on Beekman Road.” I think Rob and I got ready in record time!

We jumped in the car, and headed toward East Brunswick with flashlight in hand and arrived 20 minutes later.

The fine volunteers of EBEC help close the road (with the help of the town of East Brunswick, of course) whenever a good migration night is expected.

The Salamanders are crossing the road to get to the vernal pools to mate when conditions are right. Unfortunately, on a normal day, cars are zipping through without any idea what may be on the road. So when conditions are right, the Salamanders are given “right of way.”

When we arrived, Rob and I walked the road, sweeping the flashlight from side to side, in search of one of these beauties (and to make sure we did not “squish” one.) We met up with two volunteers, including Liti who helped us search. She had just released, into the vernal pool, the very one who’s photo was tweeted. “Let’s find you a salamander,” she proclaimed. So we combed the road, and got to see a Spring Peeper! The tiny little frog is responsible for all the racket you hear just as spring approaches.

A trip to the vernal pool was a treat for the ears! We were treated to the almost deafening sounds of Spring Peepers and Chorus Frogs singing their songs (and I am sure there were Bullfrogs and Wood Frogs too.)  Click here to listen

Heading back up the road in search of our main target, we lucked out! Liti found us a beautiful female Spotted Salamander.

Much bigger than I expected, she was beautiful – dark skin with bright yellow spots and this one was feisty! We enjoyed her beauty for a few minutes, snapped some photos and helped her on her way to make more of these beauties!

Such a treat to see!

Thank you Liti and Friends for getting the word out so quickly, and for helping us see this beautiful creature!

For more information, visit the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission Blog or Facebook page

…. but does she get the bird?

A.K.A. Confessions of a twitcher!

I told my bff today that Rob and I drove to Northern Massachusetts with a friend for the day yesterday – he called me NUTS! (maybe he’s right?)

It all started when last Sunday, a Fieldfare showed up in Carlisle, Massachusetts. This news would rock the birding world. With only a handful of records in the lower 48 states, this highly migratory Thrush from Northern Europe and Asia made its way across the pond and was found associating with American Robins.

Of course the bird was first reported on a Sunday afternoon – and was seen throughout the week. At one point in the week, I was even in Rhode Island (about an hour plus away!) I returned to New Jersey, having only slightly considered chasing the bird on my own. (mistake?)

With a report of a continuing Tufted Duck in New Jersey (one of my most wanted,) that became the Saturday “chase bird.”

(Mistake #2 by a self-proclaimed chaser?)

When Rich of New Jersey Nature Notes posted that he was looking for birders to accompany him to chase the Fieldfare in MA, Rob and I thought hard.

This is a would-be lifer for Rob and I felt burnt out from having just returned from New England days earlier (for a futile effort of a different sort.)

After careful consideration, given the fact that lifers are not that easy for Rob to come by, the decision was easier… so off we went.. with a 6AM departure.

Several hundred miles later…. the GPS announced we made it! The caravan of hybrid vehicles parked on the side of the road also heralded that fact!

There were license plates from MA, NH, ME, NJ, NY, VA and ONTARIO!  And quite a few familiar faces too!

And then the adrenaline starts pumping…. “Robin! 2 Robins!   Oh.. they’re just Robins!”

Should you stay put by the horse penn? or is it best to walk around?  I think the Punk band The Clash was writing about twitching – “Should I stay or should I go?”

Five hours later, we decided we should go with no Fieldfare ticked!

Anticlimactic? If you like stories where the birders get a lifebird, high five and drive away, sure!

Realistically though, I walked away feeling much better for the experience.

• We made a new friend
• we met up with familiar faces 250+ miles from home
• it was a beautiful day
• we did get to see some great birds (a very cooperative Cooper’s Hawk, a vocal Raven, year Cedar Waxwings and a flyover FOY Osprey.)
• It’s always fun to play the license plate game on the road
• lastly I believe that every experience in life is just a stepping stone to something bigger than all of us. Something brought us to Carlisle, MA for a reason I may never know.

For now, I think I will pass on the next Thrush “chase”
(Dipped!   First the Varied Thrush, now the Fieldfare)

When word came yesterday that David Webber found a beautiful male Tufted Duck at Thundergust Lake in Parvin State Park (Salem County, NJ,) I knew my plans to stay in Monmouth County had just changed.

This was no ordinary (potential) lifer -

this was a bird I waited

(in vain)

one cold Massachusetts morning (last winter)

but

apparently decided to leave right around the time I went to visit.

THIS WAS PERSONAL!

There are some birds you reeeeeeaaaaallyyyy hope you get to see just because…  this was one!

Missing it the first time made me want to see it even more!

From Central NJ, the drive was about an hour and a half and since it is in the heart of WAWA Country, we were all set.  :)

The bird is associating (as they often do) with Ring-Necks and Scaup (all of genus Aythya.) It gave great comparison looks as it swam next to Ring-Necks.

It has been 10 years since a Tufted Duck has been found in NJ – but there have been multiple east coast sightings reported in MA, NY and MD this year. I for one vote – it’s about time!!

What a beauty! If you are on the fence, let me tell you, it is well worth the trek!

Good chasing if you go!

twitchers

After not having seen any Turkeys in my yard for a few years, I looked up to see a beautiful male strutting and displaying and gobbling up a storm this morning. He was followed by a whole rafter of turkeys!

He knocked on the door to remind me it’s Friday, and I shouldn’t eat meat! (HAHA)

Remember, it is spring, and the birds and bees are doing their “thing.” Turkeys are EXTREMELY aggressive this time of year. Several reports of Alpha Male Toms coming way too close for comfort with humans are starting to accumulate – so you may want to avoid them if you see them displaying!