River Birds

River Birds

An in-process page that will be added to and changed as birds, seasons and conditions change.

It's our 25th Anniversary this year! For a gift we decided to share some of the fun facts we've witnessed about the feathered friends who gather annually along the river.

Our Scripture verse for this page is Matthew 10:29-31.

"'Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. 30. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. 31. Do not fear therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.'"

Right now it's Wood Duck season. If you zoom into the photos above which were posted on the cart next to the Scripture Rocks Garden's gate, you'll be able to get a brief idea about them.

Wood Duck Update, 2026

Friday, March 6, 2026 at around 8 a.m. (*when opened blinds)

Observed a lone pair swimming around the Wood Duck house. The female jumped on top and began checking it out. She did fly in and after some time flew out again, with some kind of refuse she dropped in the river. The male swam protectively below and around her. She went back to the nest and stayed in it awhile. The nesting site appears to be her decision.

As is typical they swam in the general area with a few Mallards as well. Mallards and Woodies often hang out. Both Wood Ducks also sat on the house. After two days, the Wood Duck pair disappeared.

A week later, a pair of common Mergansers showed up. A Wood Duck house is often used by Mergansers as well. We didn't see them looking closely or jumping up like the Wood Ducks. They were more interested in diving and eating. The Mallards were not quite as friendly to the Merganzers as they are to the Wood Ducks. The Mergansers soon left.

Observed: March 15, 2026 a.m., after sunrise. Wood Ducks! More than three pairs arrived, the female of one pair spent much time on the Wood Duck house, peering in, eventually entering. For a few hours various Wood Ducks flew in and out of the many old trees in the backyards of river lots, looking for knot holes or crevices. FYI, we have had Wood Ducks nest in the old Maple tree 30 feet from the shoreline. We once saw a mother bird calling up to her babies and one-by-one they floated out, landing safely below. They looked like a few feathers with big feet. But the ducks do prefer being able to have their babies land in water so the areas over-hanging the river always go first. There is a reason for thei goal to be over or very near the water which I'll share later with the Mallards, a more dramatic story.

The Wood Ducks fly daringly fast among the bare branches, sometimes you can also hear a whistling sound. A Wood Duck can also flap it's wings with it's body in a vertical holding pattern when investigating an interesting spot, much the same way a Hummingbird does. Their shorter, muscular wings are good not only for maneuvering through tight branches, but are also the source of their unique vertical feat? Although this is just this a speculation.

The Wood Ducks behaved like power shoppers. Once again, other than the day where we saw many of them in various ways and places, they have disappeared. However, the weather took a big turn for the worse, so perhaps they're just staying warm somewhere. Also due to the decision of perhaps city, utility companies and Park districts ? to cull old trees, it looks like there's many less nesting spots for them in our area now. Both birds and wildlife need old growth trees and bushes for reproducing and security.

We shall see what the rest of Spring brings. But we can know one thing for sure: If not here, God will have some safe place for them elsewhere. We will be the losers, not them.

He knows their feathers~ and your hairs. God bless you.