Owens Observation Platform

The Owens Observation Platform overlooks the Fuller Wetlands, a smaller pond surrounded by cattails, with islands covered with alder and willow trees. In spring, the alders and willows are favorite spots for warblers to sing and display. Listen for the Yellow Warbler's sweetly whistled phrase: sweet sweet sweet isn't it sweet?, and the Blackpoll Warbler's high-pitched staccato notes that increase and then decrease in volume: tsit tsit TSIT TSIT tsit tsit.

The cattails are loudly claimed as breeding territory every year by the harsh conk-la-REE! song of the Red-winged Blackbird, while the Baltimore Oriole often nests in the highest branches of tall trees overlooking this pond from the forest's edge. Families of Wood Ducks frequently move between the larger pond and this one.

Just Passing Through (Spring & Fall Migration)

Blackpoll Warbler © Jay McGowan / Macaulay Library

Breeding Season (Spring & Summer)

Baltimore Oriole © Arthur A. Allen and Peter Paul Kellogg / Macaulay Library

Red-winged Blackbird © Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay Library

Wood Duck © Michael Andersen / Macaulay Library

Yellow Warbler © Michael Andersen / Macaulay Library