February 2021: A Shot of Real Cold

A new month meant sustained cold. Only 10 of the 28 days got above freezing and most of those were on the front end of February. Lows were routinely in the teens or single digits, and we even dipped below zero on a few occasions. While we speculated whether we'd even get "walking ice" or a sustained stretch of "real winter," both ultimately came -- and in earnest.

Toledo tied an all-time record with 19 inches of snow on the ground on February 18, 2021. Most of that was thanks to a single event that brought more accumulation in a single snowfall than any other in my life's history (even more than the fabled "Blizzard of '78").

Most of our attention turned to planning for the upcoming field season. But even as the marsh froze solid, there were tons of opportunities to see the strong pulse of life alive amongst a persistent blanket of snow and ice.

Big ducks (mainly mallards with a few pintails) rise above a mostly frozen early February marsh to a rising sun and a setting moon.

"Our eagles" start to show consistent nesting behaviors in the massive tangle they have carefully constructed in the cottonwood next to the estuary.

It must be even colder up there in that seemingly constant wind.

Pretty hard to miss the nest (or even the protruding head/s of eagles) from afar
(as always, click to enlarge).

Despite sometimes biting cold, Roy never misses the opportunity to take advantage of conditions to keep the place up. Here, brush mowing helps to maintain dikes and access while not interfering with nesting songbirds.

Even a stark haircut will grow back fast, but it keeps large, potentially destructive trees from getting established on dike slopes and it also gives visual evidence of spots that need special attention.

We were able to take advantage of a completely frozen dike and a few thousand residual dollars in an open grant to carry on the erosion protection we started last August.

This work took place to augment the installation and operation of Structure 2, could be squeezed in between major snowfalls, and can be tidied up as needed this coming summer (although something tells me Roy will find a way to get it done before then).

During the coldest of the cold, Roy spent a couple days exploring with his camera. His finds are worth highlighting here (including this active seep on the edge of the West Marsh, a groundwater spring that remained open all day and night despite temperatures well below zero).

Roy caught these candid shots of a coyote crossing over the south dike with a snowy package of mystery meat -- maybe a muskrat? -- being downwind with lots of fresh snow must have helped keep Roy "concealed" from the distracted canine. 

Coyotes are plentiful at Standing Rush (as evidence from our active trail cameras), but it's not very often we even catch a glimpse during broad daylight.

A couple cool shots of another common (but largely nocturnal) mammal of the marsh.

Even in bitter cold, moving water near Structure 1 kept small areas open with shad (in beak above) swimming beneath. This made for some distant (and therefore grainy) images of canvasbacks.

Speaking of grainy, we're still yet to get a good crisp image of one of my favorite marsh birds, the "marsh hawk" or northern harrier. Roy saw individuals scanning the fresh snow on several occasions. 

Unfortunately for this mouse, it was oblivious both of Roy and of the dangers lurking from above. Maybe it was distracted by the sub-zero temps that had it out feeding in the sun when this image was captured.

Roy's return to the same vicinity the next day gave evidence that the mouse (or at least a mouse) and the marsh hawk (or a marsh hawk) were "introduced." (Click to enlarge)

Stone In Place, But Diving Ducks Steal the Show

A major raft of divers -- mainly redheads and canvasbacks, with trumpeter swans and puddlers in the background
served as a constant distraction during my time at the marsh yesterday

I am happy to report that we are finished placing armor stone on our bay front exterior dike on the West Marsh. After all the preparation, it took three days of hauling, a little over 100 truckloads of limestone, and pretty much the ideal window of late season winter to get the job done. But we did it. Hats off to Roy, the truck drivers, and the excavator operator. Conditions were tough, but we got it done with teamwork. More on this soon, but suffice it to say I'm relieved. Our largest vulnerability has now been dramatically reduced (dare I say, eliminated), at least for the time being.

Time is tight now, but I wanted to share some lively imagery from yesterday's visit. The air and water (what isn't frozen at least) were teaming with waterfowl of all different makes and models. Most notably, redheads and canvasbacks put on a show. The still shots are neat, but the video makes it that much easier to appreciate the density and near-constant motion. I could have watched (and filmed) all day.

My only disappointment was that I couldn't get closer and that my best footage took place when the sun was obscured by passing clouds and snow showers. These birds are magnificent under about any condition, but they are perhaps most breathtaking when their spring plumage contrasts with dark water and fading afternoon light.

The top image and video are predominately redheads (distinguishable by gray upper wings/shoulders, a more abrupt
"forehead,"and a downturned bill that looks like it was dipped in white and then black paint); canvasbacks have a similar
dark cinnamon head, but a broader, more gently sloping forehead and bill (with "canvas" white upper wings/shoulders);
the swans in this shot hint at what a little sunshine can do to a late winter photograph!

A "Spectacular Concentration" of Divers

This afternoon's view of Middle Harbor (just north of Sandusky Bay);
"One of the most spectacular concentrations of ducks I've ever seen in Ohio. . . Unbelievable!" -- E. Moxley

While my family and I were down in South Carolina for spring break (the cause for my ~week absence here), the next installment of "Spring Ducks" was building in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. Roy reported "swarms" of blue wings and green wings (teal) along with persistent numbers of pintails, gadwall, wigeon, and shovelers and a typical smattering of other species (blacks, mergansers, etc.) at Standing Rush over the last 7-10 days.

The woodies haven't arrived yet, but that's not unusual, especially considering how stubborn it's been to warm up. One of the only other common species yet to be common thus far this season -- ironically -- is the most iconic of them all: the mallard. We just aren't seeing big numbers. That is strange.

Less than ideal lighting makes these bluebills
(Greater vs. Lesser Scaup) even more
difficult to differentiate

Speaking of big numbers . . . what has become noteworthy has been the diving ducks. We are seeing some in and around our marsh, but just about ten miles to our north at East Harbor State Park's Middle Harbor the "bluebills" have congregated in jaw-dropping quantities and densities over the last few days. While the photo at the top of the post looks like nothing but Greater and Lesser Scaups, there are Ring-necked Ducks, Redheads, and even some Canvasbacks sprinkled in.

While all of these "divers" are accustom to gathering in large groups as they migrate (in spring and fall), this is a regionally significant push of birds. I've come to learn it is unusual when Roy is taken aback in the marsh, and when a 350-acre expanse of recently restored open water harbors an estimated 100,000 birds, it's grounds for being taken aback.

In fact, the quote that accompanies the first caption is from a friend, former neighbor, and long-time Erie County landowner who has seen A LOT OF DUCKS in A LOT OF PLACES. But he has spent a lifetime tracking them along the shores of Lake Erie. His enthusiasm for this specific gathering is telling. There is a natural spectacle underway. Nothing beats seeing it in person, but at least these images provide a taste.

Greater or Lesser? -- I'd say Lesser, but you decide . . . 

P.S. This mass of diving ducks most certainly warranted the detour on my way home from Erie County this afternoon. It was so awe-inspiring, in fact, that I'm trying to coordinate with Toledo Aerial Media to visit the site tomorrow to capture some drone imagery -- before it's too late. They won't stick around forever. I'll update if they are able to capture them from above.

Blue-winged Teal
(two drakes and a hen)

Green-winged Teal
(solitary drake)

Back at Standing Rush 

. . . just a touch of early spring color

(as always, click to enlarge)

Two more bluewings on the feed in our West Rest Pond