Helping Baby Birds: Do it the Right Way!

Baby Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Secor Metropark)

When I started this blog at the beginning of the year, I told myself to keep things interesting and educational.  I didn't want it to simply be me telling about my birding adventures.  That would not only be boring for you, but I actually believe I would get bored with that too.  Taking that mind set into account, today I would like to talk about what one can do if they come across a baby bird that has fallen out of the nest.  For this kind of post, however, it is always necessary to turn to someone more knowledgeable that myself.

Kate Zimmerman is the Education Director at Black Swamp Bird Observatory.  She previously helped me with a post about the Ohio Young Birders Club.  I took Ruby to a bird banding event at BSBO a while back, and it was Kate that was kind enough to let Ruby release an Ovenbird back into the wild.  It made her day.  I emailed Kate about the baby bird topic, and after consulting with her colleagues, she got back to me with a step-by-step process for caring for a baby bird.  

What to do with a baby bird who has fallen from it's nest?

1. Check to see if the baby bird is alive.

2. If you can find the nest that it fell out of and are able to safely return the baby to the correct nest, then do so.  It is a myth about touching a baby bird, and the mother not caring for it because it has human scent on it.  Birds have a very limited sense of smell except for Vultures, who have an excellent sense of smell.

3. If you are unable to find the nest, the next option is to contact a wildlife rehab center in your area.  Most wildlife rehab centers will need you to transport the bird to their location.  The best way to transport a baby bird is to gently place it in a container lined with soft material (ex: a washcloth works well).  A small box or container with vent holes will do.  Some baby birds will try to "hop" around depending on it's age, so be sure to have a box or container with high enough sides so it doesn't accidentally escape the box.

4. A very important note: The rehab center will know the correct type of food for the baby bird.  Do not try to feed the bird yourself.  For example, baby birds cannot eat seeds like adult birds.  Also, do not try to pour water into the baby birds beak.  It is very easy to get water into their lungs by mistake.  The best thing for the baby bird would be to safely transport it to the rehab center as fast as possible.

There are two wildlife rehab centers in Northwest Ohio:

Back to the Wild in Castalia, OH (419-684-9539) (email: mona@backtothewild.com)

Nature's Nursery in Whitehouse, OH (419-877-0060)

Many people have an immediate need to try and do something for such a helpless creature.  There's nothing wrong with having such an impulse.  Just make sure you keep the bird's health and welfare in mind when trying to help.  Follow Kate's advice and perhaps you could save a tiny little life.  

Target Birding with Greg Links

Mrs. Mallard

“Just saw your hit list.  I think I could get you at least 3 or 4 of those in the Oak Openings without too much luck needed.”  This was a message I got from super birder Greg Links a couple days after posting a list of birds I am still missing for the year.  I have birded with Greg a couple times before, so I already knew taking him up on his offer was a necessity.  Normally I ask Elissa if she would mind if I go out birding early in the morning, but this time I simply told her I couldn’t pass up getting out there with Greg.

I consider myself to be an intermediate level birder.  I know a fair amount, but all of the knowledge I have in my noggin represents just a small piece of what Greg Links knows about birds.  Going birding with such a person is a real treat.  Greg knows bird calls.  He’s amazing.  And he can do bird calls.  His Barred Owl is something else, and his Screech Owl gets all the little birds in a tizzy.  We were standing off of Wilkins Road near the bike trail when Greg started in with his Screech Owl.  Amazingly the birds came out of nowhere looking for an owl to pester.  Titmice, Chickadees, and Scarlet Tanagers came right to us.  I was impressed to say the least.

Indigo Bunting

Greg nearly guaranteed me that we would see Yellow-throated Vireos and Vesper Sparrows.  He also said that other possibilities might include Dickcissel, Black-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Alder Flycatcher, and Blue Grosebeak.

After meeting him at Irwin Prairie at 6am, Greg and I headed over to Degenfelder Road.  He told me this was the best spot for Vesper Sparrows.  He was right.  Greg of course heard them before we saw them.  I told him on the way there that I listened to the song of the Vesper Sparrow, and that it sort of sounded Song Sparrowish to me.  Greg went even further and said that, to him, the Vesper Sparrow starts off with a couple notes borrowed from a Field Sparrow and then it slides into a Song Sparrow tune.  After listening to them for a few minutes I could hear what he was talking about.  Great analysis!

Yellow-throated Vireo

After that quick stop for Vesper Sparrow, we made our way down to Oak Openings.  Our first stop was on Sager Road near Wilkins.  We were after Yellow-breasted Chat and Alder Flycatcher.  I have been to this spot multiple times for the Chat, but have had no luck.  Of course now I had Greg Links with me.  Surprisingly though, I got on the bird before he did.  I couldn’t say for sure what it was.  I thought female Common Yellowthroat at first, but it was a bigger bird with a lot of yellow.  Greg finally got on it and immediately confirmed that it was a Chat.  That’s two!

We hit several other spots throughout the park, but came up empty on Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue Grosebeak, and the nearly guaranteed (Can’t miss Greg!) Yellow-throated Vireo.

Our last stop on the day was a field off of Waterville-Neapolis Road near the Blue Creek Conservation Area.  Greg had heard from a fellow birder that there were a few Dickcissels hanging out there.  We ended up seeing one, but heard several others.  Greg, not surprisingly, delivered 3 more species for my Big Year.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers...Parent and Child

Although I didn’t get the Vireo with Greg yesterday, I did luck out today.  I drove slowly down Sager Road playing the call on my phone until I heard a reply.  I got out and was able to get a few photos.  Super cool!

I can’t thank Greg Links enough for offering to help me get a few more birds.  You are a very generous person Greg, and I have learned a lot from you in the short time that we’ve known each other.  Thanks again and good luck on your various bird related projects.  Happy birding everybody!

The Night I Went Looking for Hooters

Barred Owl (Duris)

I know what you're thinking after reading that title.  That Brandon Brywczynski is all class.  I can't help it.  I blame my father for my inability to resist cracking such a tasteless joke.  My dad and I are very different in a lot of ways, but we do share a unique sense of humor.

Things have been slowing down quite a bit lately with regard to the birds.  How slow is it?  Well, in the month of May I added 44 new species to the list.  June has been a different story.  With only 5 days left in the month, June has only netted me 7 new birds.  A variety of factors have contributed to this screetching halt of bird sighting activity.  Most importantly, it is not May anymore.  Did you know that migration and May both start with the letter M?  That is not a coincidence.  Additionally, the birds that are still hanging around are getting harder and harder to identify due to the dense foliage.  Plus, I just haven't been able to get out as much in the month of June.  Despite all of that, 3 of my 7 June birds have been life birds, which is not too shabby.

The most exciting June bird arrived on the the night of the 17th.  As previously stated, I have not had too many opportunities to go birding recently.  This has resulted in a very restless birder.  Last Monday happened to be a day in which I had met my breaking point.  I was unable to get out during the day, and after putting Ruby down for the night I told my wife that I was going out to get my Barred Owl, and that I would not be back until I at least heard one.

To say I was optimistic about my chances of locating a Barred Owl would be a stretch.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am not a huge fan of owls.  Prior to this year I had not located one on my own.  It was the same routine everytime.  I'd be walking on the boardwalk at Magee and there would be a huge crowd looking up into one of the trees.  "What do you got?", I would ask.  "Screech Owl", the crowd would say.  It was cool to see them, but the hard work of finding the owl had already been done for me.  I wanted the satisfaction of finding these buggers on my own!

When I took off for Oak Openings on the 17th I had a vague idea of what I was going to do to try and locate a Barred Owl.  Several more experienced (and more successful) birders had told me about several spots at Oak Openings that were sure to produce Barred Owls.  They are: the pine stand behind the nature center, the pines by the Lodge, the intersection of Jeffers and Reed, and a group of pines north of Monclova Road close to Wilkins Road.

I have been to all of these locations in the past, but never at night.  I know that seems silly, especially considering the target here is a nocturnal animal, but I guess I never had the nerve to go walking through a forest at night looking for a bird until this moment.  I decided to try the spot on Monclova first.  By the time I got there it was getting pretty dark out.  I pulled off to the side of the road and began walking into the forest armed with a flashlight and a pocket knife.  Elissa told me to take a pocket knife in case I was attacked by a bobcat.  I guess they're seeing them in our area these days.

Once I got to a spot I thought would be a good place to start, I began doing my best impression of a Barred Owl.  It's not the best bird call in the world, but it turned out to be good enough.  Less than 15 minutes of making the call proved to be all that was needed.  After hearing a rustle in the trees less than 50 feet from me, a Barred Owl answered my call.  I was ecstatic!  But it wasn't enough.  I needed to see it.  We conversed a bit more as I made my way closer and closer to the sound in the trees on my right.  I eventually got to a spot that seemed like it was right on top of where the owl was at.  I clicked on my flashlight and saw my very first Barred Owl.

When he was calling, I got my wife on the phone to tell her about my success.  She could even hear the owl talking in the background.  Although I was thrilled that I had found the owl all on my own, I was a little sad and guility that Elissa wasn't there to see it too.  I'm always happier when she's by my side.

There are a few birds still hanging around the area (Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan) that I haven't seen yet.  They are: Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue Grosebeak, Broad-winged Hawk, Dickcissel, Prarie Warbler, and Yellow-throated Vireo.  There are more I'm missing, but these are what I would call my target birds.  I really want to see them.  Let me know if you see any of these birds close by.  I'd appreciate it.  Happy birding!

Bird Count: 243

Recent Notables: Blue-winged Warbler, Barred Owl, and Bank Swallow

Barred Owl photo courtesy of Sherrie Duris.

Young Birders Series: Nate Koszycki

The young birder with a former
young birder!

Nate Koszycki is a young birder from Toledo, Ohio.  I met Nate and his mom Monica when my wife, aunt, and I competed in the North Coast Open last month.  At 13, he already has an amazing knack for identifying birds by sound only.  Nate is a member of the Ohio Young Birders' Club and has just recently started contributing to Rarebird.org.  I could tell you more about him, but why not let Nate tell his own story?  Enjoy!

Hi there.  As you know, my name is Nate Koszycki.  I'm a 13 year old hockey player and have been birding for many years.  Of all the birds I've seen, the Hooded Warbler is my current favorite.  Although I am young, I have accomplished many tasks as a birder, such as perfecting my identification skills though sight and through sound (lots of research and practice), getting the right and suitable equipment and getting to opportune events for specific birds.

I started "officicially" birding around 6 or 7 years old when I got my first pair of binoculars.  I was inspired to be a birder by just occasionally walking around the metroparks and watching the birds go by.  The bird that really got me into birding was the Northern Cardinal.  I always loved red so the cardinal really interested me.  I did some research on the cardinal and then got hooked on other birds that I started seeing.

Nate getting it done during the NCO.

Birding at the metroparks was great, but I got little discouraged because I was seeing the same birds over and over.  Then one day my Grandpa took me to Magee Marsh and the other Lake Erie marshes.  Spotting all of the warblers and marsh birds really showed me that there is more to birding than just cardinals.

It all took off from there.  My biggest clean up for one day was 102 species in the North Coast Open, and currently my life list is around 210.  I am not technically doing a "Big Year", but I am keeping track of my sightings for the year.  I'm currently at 156 species.  I am part of many birding clubs including the Toledo Naturalist Association and Rare Bird Alert.  I hope to continue to hone my birding skills throughout my life, and to always keep striving to get better.  Happy birding!    - Nate Koszycki

Nate is getting into nature photography.  Here's an albino Robin that hangs out in his neighborhood.

Nate called in this Gnatcatcher for a great shot.

The Party is Over!

American Redstart

Although there will be migrants coming through for a while now, the peak of the migration season is most certainly over.  I am painfully aware of this.  Although I'm still seeing good birds, I am not adding that many to the list.  In early May I had days where I netted 10 or more new birds in a single day.  Things have slowed down considerably.  Plus, if I were better at bird calls I would be able to identify them audibly.  With so many leaves on the trees now it can be very difficult to get a look at a bird even when it's in fairly close proximity.

Magnolia Warbler

This past weekend, however, did yield four new species for the year.  Two of them also happened to be life birds.  Elissa and I, along with my Aunt Woody, went to the Lake La Su An Wilderness Area in Pioneer, Ohio on Saturday.  It was a field trip put on by the Toledo Naturalists' Association.  While there we saw 60 different species of birds, including the Acadian Flycatcher, Bobolink, and Henslow's Sparrow.  I also pulled 7 ticks off of me...so that was gross!  Ticks are everywhere this year.  I am not usually a squeamish person about bugs.  I love grasshoppers.  Antlions are the coolest.  When I worked downtown the occasional cockroach didn't even bother me.  Ticks on the hand make me shiver.

Yellow Warbler

Yesterday I was able to stop at Wildwood Preserve Metropark for about an hour of birding.  Most of my observations were done by sound due to the dense foliage.  One sound in particular stood out.  Directly behind the Manor House on the blue trail I was almost certain I heard a Yellow-throated Warbler.  I consulted Greg Links of Sabrewing Nature Tours and asked him what else could sound similar to a Yellow-throated.  He suggested I try listening to an Indigo Bunting or a Louisiana Waterthrush, but he also said that he had heard Yellow-throated Warblers there a week before and that he was certain they were nesting at that location.  After listening to the two other species I was 100% sure I had heard a Yellow-throated Warbler.  Bird 240 on the year!

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Despite the slow birding I am very upbeat about the future.  My new baby girl is due in August.  No matter what I am sure I will not be ready for the added responsibility.  I used to be the type of person to freak out over being ready for something, but then I married my wife.  Her even keel type of attitude helps to at least partially calm my craziness.  However it works out, I am confident that Ruby will be a wonderful big sister.

I'm also very excited about my trip to Texas at the end of the year.  Yep, that's right.  My dad, aunt, and I will be down in the Rio Grande Valley during the last week of December to end my big year with a bang.  Now that our flights are booked I am totally geeked about the possibilities for new birds.  My goal of 300 birds should be easily met provided everything goes as planned.  I also wanted to thank my Birding Ohio friends that really helped me narrow down where to go and where to stay.  That information was much appreciated!

As we move into the summer and leave May behind, I'd like to remember all the cool birds that invaded our state just a couple weeks ago.  Besides the Bobolink, all of these pictures are courtesy of my father, Carl Brywczynski.  Enjoy!

Prothonotary Warbler

Kirtland's Warbler

Canada Warbler

Eastern Screech Owl

Common Yellowthroat

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

Indigo Bunting

Bobolink