Canatara Creatures!

Canatara Park hosts a wide variety of habitats that support plant and animal life. We never know what we may find when walking the trails!

A pair of Carolina Wrens were singing in the park this morning as they searched for bugs on dead wood. They will also come to backyards if food is available as they enjoy sunflower seeds and suet-filled feeders in the winter. 

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is the only woodpecker in eastern North America that is completely migratory. I found one today (November 12th) which is the first one I have seen in several weeks. Although a few individuals remain throughout much of the winter in the southern part of the breeding range, most head farther south, going as far as Panama. Females tend to migrate farther south than males.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-bellied_Sapsucker/overview

White-throated Sparrows regularly visit backyard feeders or peck at seeds that have fallen beneath them. If a brush pile is nearby, it will give White-throated Sparrows a place to take cover between trips into the yard to feed.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-throated_Sparrow/overview

The weather has been cold, but definitely not cold enough to freeze up small lakes. A pair of Hooded Mergansers had a relaxing swim in Lake Chipican on Tuesday.

Other species including a House Sparrow, chose November 11th to have a bath in the cold lake.

American Goldfinches were lined up for their turn in the "bath water."

Although Common Teasel is quite a pokey plant, American Goldfinches aren't bothered by the spikes. They will happily stand on the bristly, dried flower heads to extract seeds.

The Northern Cardinal is a fairly large, long-tailed songbird with a short, very thick bill and a prominent crest. A male was recently spotted snacking on berries from a Snowberry bush. They eat mainly seeds and fruit, supplemented with insects, especially when feeding young. Common fruits and seeds include wild grape, mulberry, sumac and black oil sunflower seeds.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Cardinal/id

Bird friendly winter gardens that include a water source, food and shelter, help to attract birds such as Northern Cardinals (female in photo) throughout the cold months. When choosing plants for a garden, consider different canopy levels for diverse shelter needs. Brush piles can also provide a safe place for birds to hide.

Bird friendly winter gardens

Eastern Chipmunks aren't often seen locally in snowy weather. This chipmunk didn't listen to the weather forecast!

Although I have not seen a Beaver in Canatara this year, improvements to their lodge show that they are active in the area. Mud has been added to the exterior and leafy branches have been gathered for winter food. They will store food inside the lodge during the winter months. Beavers are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn.

Tell tale signs of Beaver: Pointed stump and wood chips!

A Raccoon appears to be sleeping soundly, high in a tree. Sun was shining on it for at least part of the day!