The
Bobolink has one of the more unusual, and instantly recognizable, songs that we hear each spring starting about this time. The large, maintained grass field on the east side of the Five Rivers EEC property in Delmar is a showcase for these birds. One third of the field is cut each year in rotation, so that the habitat stays perfect for field birds.
Eastern Meadowlark is seen here, and
Savannah Sparrow as well. As more and more agricultural land reverts to shrubland and forest, it is vital to keep acreage like this in play for the rapidly declining populations of grassland species. In the winter
Northern Harriers use the area, and
Short-eared Owls have been seen in the vicinity of Five Rivers.
Bobolink at Five Rivers (click to enlarge)
Bobolink at Five Rivers (click to enlarge)
Bobolink at Five Rivers (click to enlarge)
Bobolink at Five Rivers (click to enlarge)
Bobolink at Five Rivers (click to enlarge)
Common Yellowthroat perched up and singing, Five Rivers (click to enlarge)
White-crowned Sparrow, Five Rivers (click to enlarge)
White-crowned Sparrow, Five Rivers (click to enlarge)
What's Next:
May 10th- 16th
The caboose of the migration train is within sight. After this week, all new arrivals should be here, with the numbers of non-resident birds declining as we head towards June 1st.
The late
Warbler group:
- Tennessee
- Bay-breasted
- Worm-eating
- Blackpoll
- Mourning
The late
Flycatcher group:
- Alder
- Eastern Wood-Pewee
- Olive-sided
- Willow
Terns and sandpipers can be hit-or-miss, but given the right conditions:
- Common Tern
- Black Tern
- Semipalmated Plover
- Black-bellied Plover
On the evening of the tenth of May, and every subsequent evening for a couple of weeks, it is worth spending some time around dusk listening for flocks of
Brant flying overhead. Their call is distinctive from that of both Canada Goose and Snow Goose.
TW
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