HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2004 BEAR SWAMP JOURNAL by Augie Sexauer

If we but take the time the flow of life in Bear Swamp can delight us in many ways. The first couple of weeks in April were spent clearing trails and checking conditions of nest boxes before the highly anticipated arrival of the Prothonotary Warblers. This is the time of year when I get overly anxious for the first sight of this beautiful migrant that travels from so far.

On April l0th Don Jones, Al Driscoll and I encountered a flock of Rusty Blackbirds at the bridge where we meet. While checking boxes we recorded the first Louisiana Waterthrush. On April l7th Emily Kingsbury and Susan Slim heard the first Prothonotary of the season. On the same day while checking more boxes we found that Box#4's pole had rusted and the box was laying in the mud quite water logged but intact. It was cleaned and laid out on the bank to dry out.

On April 21st after replacing Box #4 with a new pole, I climbed up on the bank and looked back. Immediately there was a beautiful male Golden Swamp Warbler perched on the roof of the box less than 10 feet away. I sometimes use the name Golden Swamp Warbler as it is the only way to describe the brilliant color of the male. This bird may have been watching me as I erected the box and as he was not singing, I did not know he was in the area which made his sudden appearance on the box the more striking.

He was a very vibrant young unbanded male who proceeded to examine the box very thoroughly leaning over the edge of the roof checking all four sides. He then entered the box and after a short while flew off down stream leaving me with many questions. What made him come in so quickly when I was so close? Was he a bird fledged from one of our boxes last year? I like to think so! Note this -box did not show any sign of a nest this year. Such is the flow of life.

As the season progressed and we monitored the boxes each week we delighted in many memorable sightings as the stream and life within the wooded swamp flowed steadily on always changing. On a club trip we caught sight of a Black and White Warbler carrying deer hair which led to the discovery of his nest on the ground beside the trail. Another time we enjoyed a close look at a Yellow-billed Cuckoo preening in the early morning sunlight. Also a Hooded Warbler's nest with four young was found. There were many more sightings too numerous to mention.

July 7th was our last check of the 12 nest boxes. Final results: 10 nest starts, 2 were 2nd broods; 43 eggs laid, 30 young fledged. This was much better than the past three years.

We were fortunate the nesting season was over when the thousand year storm hit this area on July 12th. There was very little damage along Little Creek and Miry Run thanks to the vast 3000 acre heavily wooded forest that comprises Bear Swamp. This area was able to absorb the sudden impact of 13 inches of rain in one day, Bear Swamp is a great living example of why we need to protect the natural environment. The water did flow very high in both streams but only one box was lost on Little Creek and one box on Miry Run was lifted off its pole and recovered down stream. I estimated the water to be 5 feet higher than normal.

I want to thank Susan Slim and Emily Kingsbury for their help and support this year. It is not easy to walk long distances in hip boots and wade into deep mud checking the contents of the boxes each week. I especially enjoyed their companionship as we walked along making new discoveries and discussing our love for the environment. It is fun and the rewards are great.