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The
Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
March 31 - April 6, 2005 Edition
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BIRDS
Birdlife is on the move at the beginning of April. Neotropical migrants, birds that spent the winter in South and Central America, are on the way north. As you read this, the entire Gulf Coast, especially the coast of the State of Texas, is at the pinnacle of spring migration. Millions of land birds arrive there, either as trans-gulf migrants from the Yucatan Peninsula or by following the Mexican coastline as they respond to an innate timetable. They must arrive at their respective breeding grounds at precisely the same time as others of their species, the entire migration honed through tens of thousands of years. The survivors, those birds living today, are the beneficiaries of the successful genes passed down from their parents, and their parents, and their parents, ad infinitum. Timing is everything with long distance migrants, and these birds have a sense of time and timing that we can barely imagine. Aside from the usual suspects — in other words, returning species that we eagerly anticipate — the migration seasons offer the promise of rare and unusual species. While there is much to learn from observing the common birds, the thrill of the “off-the-wall” rarity never dims. The unexpected gemstone, discovered amidst the gravel, if you will, always generates a bit of adrenalin. Springtime specials and rare treats It is fantastic that the American oystercatchers are back on Island shores. And who among us does not marvel at the returning ospreys? These lovely mega- birds confirm that summer is around the bend. But the lone sandhill crane, spotted by Emmett Carroll of Chilmark in the fields at the Keith Farm on March 22, confirmed by Allan Keith, is one of those rare treats that, when they happen, tend to occur during migrations periods. This bird did not hang out and shortly after its discovery it used its wings and departed for points unknown. These large cranes migrate huge distances in North America. There are two distinct populations, one small, essentially nonmigratory population that is resident in central Florida, and the bulk of the population, which winters from coastal Texas across the southwest to California, then breeds across a vast swath of northern North America. Occasionally, but with increasing frequency, these cranes are being seen in the northeastern United States. While this sighting is only the third occurrence for the Vineyard, they are now of annual occurrence in Massachusetts. With growing numbers of both sandhill cranes and birders, sightings should increase in the future. Visitors moving north Many birds that winter around the Vineyard or further south have already departed for more northerly climes. Surprising and always a great find was a snowy owl in the dunes along South Beach in Edgartown by Steve Swanson of Edgartown and Mashpee on the morning of March 29. He was delighted to find this large white owl, hunkered down out of the wind and drizzle. Unfortunately, he only had a few frames of film left in his camera and quickly ran out of film. Nonetheless, he got visual proof, a memento of this chance encounter with a bird that is going thousands of miles farther north to an altogether different world devoid of trees and having 24 hours of constant light in summer, where it breeds. They wander south in fall and early winter only as far as necessary to procure enough food. The spring’s first snowy egret for the Vineyard was seen by Dale Carter of Chappaquiddick, on Dike Road on March 26. She has been keeping track of her first sighting at this location since 1988. This eclipses her previous early record of April 8 by a good margin. Great and snowy egrets, black-crowned night herons, and great blue herons are all on the move and may be encountered at favorable spots on the ground, or flying over, at any time. Lastly, there comes a report from Wendy Culbert of Tisbury with a sighting at the Stop & Shop in Edgartown — not outside the store, but inside. Apparently, a wily and acclimated song sparrow has taken to visiting the inside of the store. The bird undoubtedly discovered in one of the brutal snowstorms that it could get inside the store and find food and shelter. Song sparrows are generally a shy species that avoid close contact with humans. Presumably this savvy survivor will spend its time outside as the weather warms and the breeding season is upon us. This is the first song sparrow that I have ever heard of that has ever done anything like this. Perhaps this individual is at an evolutionary break point for its species. We’ll we soon see headlines like, “Island song sparrow loves Stop & Shop?” Islands really are different! At any rate, next time you visit the store, look for its littlest visitor! Until next week — keep your eyes to the sky! To contribute news about your birding activities or sightings, call The Times Birdline, 508-693-6100, extension 33; or e-mail birds@mvtimes.com. |
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