Local birding report

The dry warm weather during the second and third week of September accompanied many southbound migrants secretly slipping through our landscapes by day and overhead by night.

On September 20 Cornell’s BirdCast Migration Dashboard reported over seven hundred thousand nocturnal birds leveraging southwest winds along the Atlantic Flyway as they passed into and/or through Cumberland County. The abundance and species diversity that fly over our town on a night of heavy migration rivals what would be a big day’s worth of bird sightings. This web-based data visualization tool (dashboard) provides a new dimension for birders to deeply connect with nature. On several nights when forecasted weather conditions were more favorable for travelling at lower altitudes, just as predicted, warblers, vireos, thrushes, sparrows and shorebirds brief nocturnal flight calls sounded as if they were right above the treetops.

One call in particular caught my ear amongst the peeps and chirps in the dark sky. It had a slightly distinct, rising, bell-like “pwee” sound. Reviewing the Migration Dashboard’s expected nocturnal migrants section I noticed that Swainson’s Thrushes were listed as a species most likely passing overhead. From there I was able to draw some conclusions by matching the flight song I had heard to a pre-recorded version I had found online. In the moment I could picture this secretive little thrush sensing it was time to depart. With one last skulk about in the tangles he then whispered his ethereal tune within the dim forest understory before flying straight up and away into the stary night sky.

The leisurely pace of fall migration provides birders like me with ample time to reflect on missed sightings that seem to mount as the days grow shorter. While wandering along one of CELT’s fantastic new trails in Robinson woods my thoughts were of the Black and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, American Bitterns, Wilson’s Snipe and Marsh Wrens that eluded me this time around. I also never got a good look at a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher or an Orchard Oriole.

And then there were the missed warblers like the Mourning, Waterthrushes, Blue-winged, Golden-winged and the Prairie. Oh, how I missed not hearing the Prairie Warbler’s buzzy little tune! Alas, there is always something of interest to see or hear and it is just a matter of being out in the yard or field to chance upon it.

My limited observations from the yard and field during the middle of September include, on several occasions during the third week of September in Robinson Woods III the guttural quork quork of Raven’s carried high above the old Pine’s canopy while the rolling rattle of a Northern Flicker echoed through the woods below. Eastern Wood Pee-wee’s distinctive notes could still be heard as well.

Additionally, on September 16 I came across three cheery Blue-headed Vireos along the northern entrance to Runaway Farm and on September 20 in my backyard I noted a twenty-seven American Goldfinches, a continuing Ruby-throated Hummingbird and separately two Gray Catbirds, two Red-eye Vireos and a Philadelphia Vireo.

Far less widespread and less abundant in Maine, the Philadelphia Vireo can usually be distinguished from the Red-eyed Vireo by their yellow washed underparts and distinct line above the eye that typically contrasts with their darkish gray helmet. And while the Red-eyed Vireo does breed in Cape, the Philadelphia only breeds in the more north westerly sections of Maine and beyond. Interestingly, this is the third year in a row I have spotted a Philadelphia Vireo in September and in my yard. The bird gets its name from the city in which the first scientific specimen of this species was collected. Philadelphia was at the center of America’s scientific community in the early 1800s and much of the study of birds originated in Pennsylvania.

Lastly, on the morning of September 23 a handsome male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak briefly showed up at our backyard feeder along with a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches. Also, just as we had last fall, a young male Pileated Woodpecker has been dropping into our yard daily for suet, announcing his arrival with a series of loud, escalating shrieks.