SECRETS OF THE PRAIRIE

The vast expanse of Paynes Prairie and its numerous ecosystems holds a wealth of information and secrets we may never fully comprehend.  However, some of these avian secrets have been unearthed recently by some excellent members of the birding community.  In the last week between the La Chua and Cones Dike trails, the following rare or secretive birds (some for the time of year they are present here or some based on their traditional range) were spotted: yellow-breasted chat, lincoln's and fox sparrow, northern waterthrush, vermilion flycatcher, least flycatcher, ash-throated flycatcher, merlin, and virginia rail!  If the list is not impressive, I'm not quite sure what would be.

Probably the most interesting species for me (since I had been treated to intimate views of the vermilion and merlin the past few weeks) was the ash-throated flycatcher, a species whose typical North American (i.e. summer) range doesn't extend beyond the beginning of the Great Plains in the west or into the eastern half of Texas.  As its typical migration and winter range take it into Central America, it is not common for it to be seen outside its range.  However, in recent times individuals have been spotted all the way to the east coast during winter, typically confined to coastal areas.  Inland sightings of aberrant individuals are even more uncommon.  Which makes the fact three individuals were seen in the exact same tree along the Cones Dike trail even more impressive.  Based on data compiled by Rex Rowan, it seems there may be up to 5 or 6 different individuals present in Paynes Prairie at this very moment, making this a very exciting time to take a hike through the prairie and see what secrets it has to share.

I decided to head out on a quest to see at least one of these ash-throateds Saturday morning.  When I arrived at the Camps Canal trail, another great local birder and poet, Sidney Wade, was already there and getting ready to make the trek out to Cones Dike to find them as well.  So we decided to head out together and see what we could find.

The morning started out with a good omen, as the very first bird we encountered was a hermit thrush along the Camps Canal trail.  Typically the first species one sees heading out on this trail this time of year is a Carolina wren or northern cardinal, so I was thinking it was a sign of interesting sightings to come...and so it seemed.  When we finally strolled onto the prairie, there was a cool, heavy fog blanketing the entire prairie in a shroud of gray mist.  It seemed to keep the birds active all morning, as there were just birds flying around and calling everywhere, with no end in sight.

(Ruby-crowned kinglet with crown exposed)

Sidney and I were able to see the ruby crown of an appropriately named kinglet from a few feet away, numerous male and female common yellowthroats, blue-gray gnatcatchers at eye level in just about every other thicket, and seemingly endless numbers of palm and yellow-rumped warblers.  Sora were calling throughout the later half of the trail, a small flock of black-bellied whistling ducks took flight and were producing their namesake whistles while in-flight, and we were able to spy one of the best looks you can get of an american bittern who landed in the middle of the southernmost canal with nothing but short, bright green emergent vegetation surrounding it.  It must have quickly realized it was not concealed whatsoever, as it abruptly took flight to another, more heavily vegetated portion of the prairie.


About halfway down the trail, we ran into our first ash-throated of the morning.  Interestingly enough, it was in the exact same location as an alder flycatcher had been hanging out in October.  Two rare flycatchers in the exact same spot, several months apart?  When one looks at the surrounding area, it may yield some clues as to why it was chosen by both individuals.  The area in question is along the canal, yet in a fairly open expanse.  There is a healthy composite of shrub and groundcover vegetation, along with a few mature trees, giving the flycatchers plenty of perches from which to survey, sally, and hawk prey items.  Also, there is a healthy diversity in the vegetative composition present in all layers, so it may be alluring to many different insect species, thus being alluring to the flycatchers as well.

(Ash-throated flycatcher sharpening bill)

(Ash-throated flycatcher calling - note the ash-throated coloration of the throat)

The second ash-throated of the morning was seen a bit farther up the trail.  This time it brought another rare for the season friend along, a northern waterthrush.  Interestingly, the waterthrush flew up high in a Celtis tree with the ash-throated, allowing for easy identification with the extensive streaking along the throat, breast, and belly.  It also called a few times after it flew down to a more common waterthrush level, closer to the ground.  What a treat!  Sidney and I couldn't believe our luck at seeing both species in the same tree at once.

All three ash-throateds we encountered were very gracious and gregarious, allowing us ample opportunity to study their diagnostic features and compare them against great-crested flycatchers.  The paler, sulfur-colored belly was easily identifiable, and it was fairly clear to see the sulfur plumage coloration did not extend as far up to the breast as does on the great-crested.  Also, we were treated to great underside looks, and were able to see how the rufous and dark brown coloration on the undertail coverts truly does extend to the tip.  Then there was the ash-colored throat and neck collar, which was all the easier to see in detail when the last two individuals were observed calling (which also confirmed the identity of the species).

(Ash-throated flycatcher in flight - note the extension of the rufous/dark brown coloration to the tips of the undertail coverts)

(Another in-flight photo of the Ash-throated flycatcher)

(Wilson's snipe in "ready to flush" stance)

Sidney decided to head back after we found the last ash-throated, and I decided to press forward, wanting to see what may be present at the bend in the trail and after.  I was treated to an adult bald eagle perched in the last cypress before the bend, two immature white-crowned sparrows,  a handsome male northern harrier (who flushed no less than sixteen wilson's snipes) just a short distance in front of me at eye level, and finally one of my other target species for the day, a virginia rail.  The last individual I had seen or heard was during last year's Christmas Bird Count (CBC) along Newnan's Lake, and I have been surprised at not being able to see one since, even though they are quite secretive by nature.  I was lucky enough to hear the grunt call, and then I attempted to trace it back to its location.  I was fortunate enough to catch a fairly decent look at the individual behind some dense groundcover vegetation before it took off into it.  Unfortunately the photos I snapped off do not clearly show the bird.

(Immature white-crowned sparrows)

By the end of the hike, a total of 56 species were observed.  It's amazing to see the sheer diversity and abundance of birds which are currently present on the prairie.  Do yourself a favor and get out there to see what other jewels may be present.  You never know what you may run into out there.