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The
Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
May 19 - May 25, 2005 Edition
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Birds
Orioles — both the familiar Baltimore and smaller, less colorful orchard oriole — were widespread and seemingly everywhere. Reports of up to a dozen orioles in yards with flowering fruit trees came in from all Island towns. The remarkable Edgartown grounds of Paul and Mary Jackson in Ocean Heights are an amazing lure for spring migrants, especially orioles. Their spectacular fruit trees, flowers, and blossoms attract an often staggering number of birds. This past week the impressive numbers of Baltimore and orchard orioles as well as rose-breasted grosbeaks made their property seem as if it was an aviary. The place was under attack from a slew of gorgeous Neotropical migrants! Those people with fruit trees, and/or providing jelly and/or oranges in their yards or at feeding stations have been thrilled at the “wave” of colorful birds that have blown in for a visit. Most of these birds will continue on their journey to breeding areas elsewhere. The birds’ presence, however brief, on the Island will not soon be forgotten by those who had the visual and audio senses, startled, tickled, and pleased by these great looking (and sounding) birds. Exotic visitors pour in Indigo buntings, aptly named, small dark blue (indigo blue) finches (i.e. buntings) also staged an impressive flight, with no fewer than a dozen reported at feeders where they had not been previously. There were at least three mystery birds reported from feeders this past week from observers who know all the birds that visit their respective feeders. Awaiting pictures or other views of the birds, one report from Abel’s Hill in Chilmark sounded convincing for a western bird called a black-headed grosbeak and the other two sounded like female or molting summer tanagers. It has been a great spring for rare and unusual birds and this past week the trend continued unabated. Rare birds sighted this past week included a singing male prothonotary warbler in Vineyard Haven on May 14 was sighted by Penny Uhlendorf and Scott Stephens; a yellow-throated warbler on May 13 and a female hooded warbler seen by Allan Keith in Chilmark on May 14; and a Lincoln’s sparrow, two red-headed woodpeckers by Bob Caldwell in Chilmark. A surprising number of harlequin ducks, arguably the best looking duck on the planet, are still lingering at Squibnocket in Chilmark. Twenty were seen by Allan Keith and John Nelson on May 13, as were three purple sandpipers. Caprimulgidae — the family name for a group of nocturnal birds called Caprimulgids or goatsuckers by birders — are back. On the Vineyard, these species are by normal people as whippoorwills and chuck-will’s-widows. Hearing the nocturnal calls is pretty much all the contact humans have with these decreasing birds. Habitat fragmentation and destruction, large numbers of skunks and feral cats, as well as a scarcity of large moths, have all figured into the reasons for the decline of these birds. The Vineyard has the northern-most known small nesting population of chuck-will’s-widow on the eastern seaboard, so the news that a few have returned and are calling in Edgartown is welcome. Busy on the water The waters surrounding the Island still hold migrating loons, northern gannets, lots of sea ducks, three species of terns and lots of activity. Beaches and tidal flats have an abundance of activity with nesting American oystercatchers, piping plovers, and least terns, as well willets in the salt marshes. At low tide the flats are crowded with lots of migrant shorebirds that are staging on their way to Arctic breeding grounds. Birds are on the move this week and next at maximum. Both for numbers and species, from the time you read this for about 10 more days, the Vineyard experiences its peak of the spring migration. Speaking in terms of bird life, almost anything can show up anywhere at any time. So keep those binoculars handy because you will certainly have need of them. Lastly, if you have good hearing, keep those ears open. When hearing an unfamiliar bird song or call, go track it down. In a few short days, all the nesting species’ songs can be learned and then it is only necessary to track down songs that are not recognized. After another 30 years, especially on the coast in spring where birds often sing only partial songs or incomplete songs, one might become expert. No matter, it is fun to attempt (or to relearn) the songs every spring. Love to hear what you are seeing, don’t be bashful, and call it in to the bird line at 508-693-6100, Ext. 33 and leave a message. 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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