May 5th, 2006
bird calls
Just this last day or two, it suddenly “feels” like summer. Last week’s budding leaves have almost entirely unfurled on the poplar, birch and willow. A couple of light rains have encouraged the soft blades of grasses to rise beyond last year’s stubble. The number of butterflies in the woods and meadows have been increasing day by day. The Barn Swallows are back, twittering as they wildly spin back and forth above the fields before diving through an open barn door or window. Red-winged blackbirds scold from the uppermost fronds of the birch that border the drainage ditch where their mates are hidden on nests among last year’s cattails.
In the woods, I’m hearing many calls which I have yet to sort out. Soon, I’ll begin putting calls to names again, but for now, the voices seem new and unfamiliar. However, there are a few that there’s no mistaking — the fee-bee of the Eastern Phoebe being one among them. We must have a pair nesting somewhere in the gardens as I’ve been hearing them for a couple of days and found one perched on the rose canes outside my bedroom window.
Last evening, I wandered across the meadows just before dusk and heard an incredible ruckus arising from the woods in the vicinity of the Long-eared Owls. Upon investigation, I found a half-dozen Robins flitting from tree to tree, shrieking in panic or fury — I’m not sure which. I caught a glimpse of the owl drifting above them – moving on to a quieter spot in the pines. The Robins kept up their shrill cries for several minutes before settling down among the poplar.
No warblers as yet, and still hoping to once again hear a Whippoorwill. They were present for many years, but I haven’t heard them for the past few — but I keep listening for their return.
May 5th, 2006 at 8:15 pm
What a stunningly beautiful photo, Bev. Wow. It has texture and depth. Just gorgeous.
Oh yes, the birds are back. I can’t wait to see what you photograph and identify. We saw our first Black-headed Grosbeak this morning. I also saw some yellow-crowned little sparrow-looking bird that is defying my attempts at identification. The mystery could keep me busy for days. I hope I see it again!
May 5th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
Thanks, RD. It was one of the “lucky shots through the window”. (o:
I hope you see your yellow-crowned bird again soon. The warblers will soon be here and they’re my nemesis!
May 6th, 2006 at 8:06 am
Yesterday, May 5, I saw and heard my first warbler of the season in the area of Hamilton, Ontario. It was the Yellow Warbler. I am sure I heard at least one other warbler but could not see it and could not remember what bird made the call. I am hoping a few more show up in time for our Birdathon day tomorrow.
May 6th, 2006 at 10:52 am
You beat me to it! I’ve been trying to get a pic of our phoebes for over a year and I’ll never get one like that :-)
The Eastern Phoebe is what I think of as our signature bird. We’ve had one or two pairs nest in the crook of our gutter downspots now every year since we built the house – that’s 15 years. They’re absolutely smashing birds, and I love their hard work ethic, sitting on our tomato stakes and low tree branches, watching out for insects, and taking scrupulous care of their babies.
And the fee-bee call makes me feel a part of the whole thing.
May 6th, 2006 at 11:53 am
O.W. – With the current weather, I’m sure we’ll be seeing warblers in most areas of Ontario very soon. I’ve been paying a lot of attention to insects for the past few days and things are really starting to happen. That usually means the birds aren’t far behind. On a less happy note — yesterday, between my 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. walks around the farm, the first major onslaught of mosquitoes suddenly appeared. Incredible how I could go from “no bites” to “many bites” in a matter of hours. arrrrghh!!!
Wayne – Well, let me assure you that the phoebe photo was pretty much a fluke. I have rarely ever seen one posing just a few feet from me, so I consider that shot to be the result of good luck more than anything else!! (-:
I think of the phoebe as our “summer bird” here at the farm. They show up just when things are getting nice, and depart before everything winds down in the autumn. I guess that’s true of all of the flycatchers though. I saw my first Kingbird sitting on the top branch of one of the Black Walnut trees a couple of days ago. Nice to see them back for the summer.