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The
Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
May 26 - June 1, 2005 Edition
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Birds
Visions of great birding on the Vineyard this weekend, this year, due to the lateness of spring not only along the immediate coast where it is always late but inland as well, add to birders’ excitement. Of course, a large part of the historical record with so many rare, unusual, and good birds seen over this particular weekend at the end of May is due to the sheer numbers of human observers who arrive for the summer or for a weekend vacation, or locals who get out on this holiday weekend and vigorously scour the Island to see what they can find. With the spring migration running late this year in the northeast due to a month of May that resembled a typical April, with abundant precipitation and cold, raw temperatures, it is hoped and expected that when “normal” weather finally returns there will be a widespread, very late movement of lots of delayed birds. Birds are very good at knowing what is ahead of them as they move north. They have to be, as every flight they take may lead to disaster. A perilous journey For example let’s look at a blackpoll warbler’s return flight north after wintering in northern South America as it returns to its nesting area in spruce forests in southern Labrador in northeastern Canada. Among the warblers, the blackpoll’s migration is the longest. It begins heading north in March, meandering dozens or as much as 100 miles a night across Central America, moving only when the weather is favorable. At some point in April or early May it makes a big over-water flight from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to the coast of Florida. From there it heads north, flying on nights with southerly winds assisting its travels. It is attempting to return to its spruce forests right as the insects emerge to feed on new growth and to time its arrival to arrive with the others of its kind. The first to arrive gets the pick of the best breeding sites and presumably the best mates. The danger of being first to arrive is that if bad (cold) weather lingers or a late-season storm hits, there is nothing to eat and the birds may starve. It is a delicate balancing act, each and every year. The blackpoll warblers that are now in southern New Jersey will in all likelihood be arriving on their breeding territories in the spruce belt right around June 1. As the season progresses, the birds’ desire to get north increases. It seems likely that on one certain night in the next week there will be a massive movement of land birds making a final push to their respective breeding grounds. An exciting time Arctic nesting shorebirds also make a last big push north and the end of May is the best time to see both numbers and variety of plovers and sandpipers on Island tidal flats and beaches. On the waters surrounding the Island there is lots of movement, particularly at first light and again near dusk. The end of May is an exciting time of movement and migration, especially for the birds that nest farthest north. It also is a time of fervent activity amongst Island nesting species. For something different, try to go to bed early one night and awake about 4 am. Head out to a Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Property or the State Forest and be amazed at the staggering amount and volume of bird song. All the singing birds are declaring their presence and defense of a breeding territory from others of their kind. It is one of the wonders of nature, of the world. The string of nasty weekends and constant frontal systems has delivered great numbers and varieties of birds to the Island. Orioles are still widespread, utilizing feeders, as are rose-breasted grosbeaks, indigo buntings, a few scarlet tanagers and orchard orioles as well. Because of the cool temperature, many birds that never visit feeding stations have done so this month. Orioles and catbirds have been feasting on suet and birds are doing what they have to in order to survive. Nancy and Skip Bettencourt on Chappaquiddick report lots of birds at their feeders including rose-breasted grosbeaks, indigo buntings, Baltimore orioles, and a young male orchard oriole. Susan and Jim Gorman in Edgartown have been enjoying a pair of Baltimore orioles as well. Lastly, great egrets have been widespread and very easy to see on Beach Road and elsewhere. On Nantucket last week, a South American flycatcher called a fork-tailed flycatcher was seen and photographed. Get ready for the weekend: it ought to be a good one. 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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