CALENDAR

Plan Ahead for these events:

For detailed information about our field trips please email wisniews2@yahoo.com or pennielombard@Yahoo.com.

• April 25, 2012 9 AM Field Trip to Warren Woods
• April 28, 2012 9 AM Wildflower Walk at Bluhm County Park
• May 9, 2012 9 AM Field Trip to Cowles Bog
• May 12, 2012 9 AM May Bird Count
• May 23, 2012 9 AM Field Trip to South Bend/Elkhart Sanctuar
• June 13, 2012 9 AM Field Trip to Beverly Drive Important Birding Area
• June 27, 2012 9 AM Field Trip to Potato Creek

Pileated Woodpecker

As seen at the feeder at the home of Joe
and Joan Wisniewski on Holmesville Road

Cardnal

John James Audubon wrote that the Northern Cardinal, “in richness of plumage, elegance of motion, and strength of song, surpasses all its kindred in the United States”.  Several states agree because the Northern Cardinal is the state bird for Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Once a southern bird, this species has gradually extended its range northward until it now reaches the Canadian border.  Cardinals are not truly migratory, but some wander after nesting—especially birds that are less than a year old.  Northern Cardinals stay in our area all year around.

The male is unmistakable with his brilliant red color and crested head.  The female plumage is much more subdued—olive gray back, dull reddish wings and crest, soft pink-brown breast and a red bill.

The Northern Cardinal preferred habitat includes dense thickets, woodland margins, and briar tangles, any area with thick shrubbery.  The Northern Cardinal shuns deep forests.  Cardinals often fly in mixed flocks during the winter, but pairs isolate themselves in spring and summer.  The birds remain mated throughout the year.  They place their nests in dense shrubbery, deciduous trees, and thickets, generally not more than 10 feet off the ground.  The nest is loosely built, usually by the female, of twigs, vines, leaves, and rootlets and lined with fine grasses.  They usually lay two to five smooth shell grayish blue eggs.  Incubation is 12-13 days.  Both the male and female feed the babies

The babies normally fledge in 9-10 days. 

The Northern Cardinal eats a great many insects, especially during the breeding season.  They also eat many kinds of fruits and berries and are attracted to feeding stations that offer sunflower seeds.

SIGHTINGS:

Papa bluebird and teenage offspring.  Taken by Elizabeth Roman in her backyard.