Kip’s Comments - January 26, 2025

Sweet Marsh Update and Hawk Show

Some time has passed since I provided a Sweet Marsh Update regarding waterfowl and raptors impacted by the avian influenza outbreak. Today there was good news and not so good news. Let’s begin with the not so good news.

Canada Geese and Trumpeter Swans at Sweet Marsh - Image 939483

Only a very small area of water is open at Sweet Marsh. As a result, the waterfowl - Canada geese and trumpeter swans - that continue to remain in the area are forced to congregate very close together. During an illness or outbreak, space/distancing is what is needed, not crowding. It was apparent the birds are close enough to easily spread illness.

Canada Geese and Trumpeter Swans at Sweet Marsh - Image 939485

The good news is that I did not find any dead or dying birds - waterfowl or raptors. I am not sure what this means. Did the recent wave of avian influenza take the young, aged, and immune-compromised birds. Have the remaining birds developed immunity?

Canada Geese and Trumpeter Swans at Sweet Marsh - Image 939488

The next question is what might happen during the upcoming spring migration. I suppose we will learn soon enough.

Canada Geese and Trumpeter Swans at Sweet Marsh - Image 939492 (zoomed)

Not far from Sweet Marsh I found this red-shouldered hawk. The first picture shows the bird in an alert mode. The next picture features the same red-shouldered hawk flashing its nictitating membrane.

Red-shouldered Hawk - Image 939522

Red-shouldered Hawk - Image 939522 (Nictitating Membrane)