Classic Mob!

While touring the Jamestown Fort yesterday we were treated with a terrific display of bird life; a classic bird mob just off the main pedestrian thoroughfare.

The first thing we noticed were the Carolina Chickadees in their chastising voices, then we saw them in fluttering flight, yet still it took a bit before it registered in my head that this was a classic mob of a predator. Once, we had witnessed an identical mob in Costa Rica on a boa constrictor. It however was led by treecreepers and the result was seriously fantastic birding, not to mention being turned on to a ten foot Boa that otherwise would have been lurking a foot from our head. So once it registered, our heart beat a faster tune and we sat down and watched to see if we could find the target of the fuss. Soon a Northern Mockingbird flew in and joined the action by walking through the grass while puffing it's breast and flapping it's wings. Then pine warblers, bluebirds and phoebes joined in, flying within a foot of the ground and hovering well enough to make a hummingbird blush. The birds were raising a ruckus, but still we couldn't find the predator until a near by squirrel hopped on board and began taunting the snake within a foot. The wild mob had the snake well on the move, but alas the final participant joined in when I pointed out the copperhead to an amateur photographer strolling by. With the word "Snake" the otherwise oblivious flock of tourists quickly responded with pointed fingers. The snake reacted immediately by freezing in perfect pose for the cameras aimed his way. With the new members of the mob at hand the birds dispersed and so did Eva and I, but I couldn't help to think that if it wasn't for the Chastising Carolina Chickadee then that tiny young lad carrying his new found memories of Fort Jamestowne might well have gotten tagged by a copperhead.

good times,
aaron

If you want to check it out I've posted a photo that of the creature at: http://www.aviatlas.com/hspsolo/06e1133c97ef0f86dc7f8985896bcbb5/photos