Parting Thoughts

Bounteous Birdsong

By Noreen O’Brien, Purchasing

Amazing how much birdsong is still being played out there. James and I took a walk the other morning, the first in a very long while, and found entertainment the whole time. James and I have an agreement: I show patience, despite biting bugs, while he spends an inordinate amount of time sniffing at a blade of grass along the roadside; in turn, he sits patiently while I chase—with my eyes—a bird. Good boy, James.

These are the birds I heard singing or saw on our walk: Wild Turkey; Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (they squeak as they whiz through the woods); Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, Downy, Hairy and Pileated woodpeckers; Eastern Wood Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Alder Flycatcher (“free beer!”); Blue Jays and crows; Black-Capped Chickadee; Tufted Titmouse; Brown Creeper; Mo-Dos (Mourning Doves); White- and Red-Breasted (“beep-beep”) nuthatches.

Also, Veery, Hermit Thrush (a Wood Thrush was out there Saturday morning—a rare treat!) and robin; Cedar Waxwings (ubiquitous these days); Red-Eyed and Blue-Headed vireos; Ovenbird, Northern Parula, Chestnut-Sided (most abundant bird), Magnolia (ever so lovely), Black-Throated Green, Pine, Black and White, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, and American Redstart warblers.

And, finally, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (including a juvenile); Chipping and Song sparrows galore; American Goldfinch (a plethora) and Purple Finches; Gray Catbirds (exquisite); Baltimore Orioles; Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds (bad birds, you parasites, you!) and Common Grackles; oh, and Osprey.

Not bad for a walk lasting under a half hour in mid-June. Is it any wonder we wait for summertime? Nothing would please me more than to get out there again this morning, while the birds are still singing. Alas, making a living continues to stand in the way of my living.

Even if we don’t get out and see or hear the birds—their names alone are enough to make a smile come to light. What birds are you hearing and seeing?

To view a pair of cardinals in their own home, go to http://massapoag.org/cam/nest_cam/nest_cam.html. You will see a female incubating at least one egg. The pair started out with three eggs, but a few days ago I watched her nuzzling around at one of the eggs, which had a hole in it. Alas, the next time I saw the eggs, there were but two—she must have rid the nest of the damaged one, but I missed that bit. Meanwhile, one egg has hatched.

I’ve observed the female cram a whole green caterpillar down the throat of the hatchling, then rummage around and collect a fecal sack (released almost at the same moment the caterpillar was put into the other end!)  to be carried off and dropped away from the nest. Now that at least one chick has hatched, the parent will be gone more frequently and you’ll have a better chance to view the babies, assuming the remaining egg hatches—and both parents as they feed the young. Great fun having these nestcams!

Till next…

Noreen

We at Marine Parts Express often hear the birds chirping away from our warehouse here in the Maine woods, so we are always in a good mood to help our customers get the correct prices. Call us toll free, 877.621.2628.

Comments? Questions? Suggestions for topics for our blog or newsletter? Send them to info@marinepartsexpress.com.

Categories: Birds, Noreen O'Brien

Tags: alder flycatcher, american redstart, birdsong, black-capped chickadee, black-throated green, blackbird, blue jay, blue-headed vireo, brown creeper, cardinals, catbird, cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided, cowbird, Downy Woodpecker, easter phoebe, eastern wood pewee, goldfinch, grackle, grosbeak, hairy woodpecker, hermit thrush, magnolia, Marine Parts Express, mourning dove, northern parula, oriole, osprey, pileated woodpecker, pine, red-breasted nuthatch, red-eyed vireo, robin, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, sparrows, tufted titmouse, veery, warbler, white-breasted nuthatch, wild turkey, wood thrush, yellow-bellied sapsucker

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