Spring 2003 Bird Watching

by Lee

Spring migration is drawing to a close. Lots of birds have stopped to feed briefly in the area and then gone on to more northerly climes. However, some have stayed to raise their families here.

Down bythe ponds there are yellow warblers (slightly larger than the goldfinch, a different shade of yellow, and lacking its black wings and cap), and common yellowthroats (also a warbler, with olive drab back, yellow throat, and distinctive black "bandit" mask). Among the willows are willow flycatchers, saying a hoarse "fitz-bew". Depending on the day you may see barn, tree, rough-winged or bank swallows zooming over the ponds. Watch for the great blue heron and listen for the harsh rattle of the kingfisher.

Several people have enjoyed the brilliant orange and black Baltimore orioles coming to eat orange slices, and if we keep an eye out we may discover where their distinctive hanging nest is. Folks nearer the woods and upper parking lot have been enjoying the indigo bunting, a gorgeous blue if the light is right, drab and blackish if not.

Feeders near the woods are getting a steady stream of cardinals, tufted titmice, white-breasted nuthatches, and chickadees. The suet feeders have still been drawing downy woodpeckers. The hairy and red-bellied woodpeckers seem to have become more secretive, probably actively nesting, as are the flickers. Red-eyed vireos have been singing relentlessly in the woods for the past couple of days, the peewee has been calling, and a red-tailed hawk sometimes appears soaring above.

Bluebirds, house finches and chipping sparrows are often seen among the houses as well as in the gardens and prairies. Unfortunately, all the bird houses along the road were occupied by house sparrows (not a true sparrow, but an introduced and invasive finch, actually), but the interior birdhouse seems to have ben successfully held by the bluebirds. I haven't checked it lately, but it probably has babies by now. A large bush north of the Common House holds a robin's nest with one blue egg.

The hummingbirds came in a couple of weeks ago, and by now the males have become scarce and there are at least three females attending the Hefner feeder regularly.

Muskrats are busy bringing mouthsfull of stuff to their nest under the island, and the killdeer's call can be heard by day and sometimes by night.