Sounds of Spring - Birdsong
Most folks, when considering first signs of Spring, probably begin with the increased chatter of birdsong. After a long winter of hearing not much more than crows cawing, the croak of a raven, the cry of a gull or the sweet song that gives the chickadee their name, it is thrilling to hear returning birds add their song to the medley of music.
First, you might notice the blue jays, with their piercing scream and the robin’s lovely trill. The mourning dove’s tragic coo adds itself to the mixture and the Phoebe returns, rather vainly calling their name.
If you have bird feeders, you might one day look out to see it monopolized by brightly colored gold finches. The next day, there might be a hoard of grackles, squawking, crying and pushing each other and all other birds aside to get at the seed.
As evening falls or before first morning light, you can overhear the Barred owl ask its eternal question, “Who cooks for you?” – never satisfied with the answer.
Walking near reedy wetlands, a flash of red in a bed of black, is followed by the cry of a red-winged blackbird, cuck-la-ree! And the startled quacks of a mallard family make you feel guilty for intruding.
Heading down to the beach brings a cacophony of shorebird music. Bickering sounds of gulls, cormorants and terns are mixed with the quieter pipers and plovers. The indignant honk of a flock of Canada geese being disturbed almost drowns out the infamous haunting song of a young loon, not yet ready to venture to the mating grounds on lakes, further inland.
As Spring settles in, an early morning hike through May woods reveals dozens of returning birds and their unique songs. From the many variations of warblers, hidden high in the treetops, to the ethereal call of a hermit thrush in the brushy understory and all of the sparrows, wrens, vireos and kinglets in between, Islesboro’s forests provide incredible habitat for many bird species.
If you are a bird lover and interested in learning more abut how to steward your forests to support bird habitat, join IIT with the Maine State Forest Service and Maine Audubon on Friday, June 13, for a Forests for Maine Birds workshop! For more information, visit our Programs & Events page on our website. To sign-up, contact Chloe Joule (cjoule@islesboroislandstrust.org).