Local birding report

With the waning of peak migration and summertime close at hand, breeding season is well underway across Cape with birds singing mightily as they establish territories and nests. Resident birds like Carolina, Wrens, Tufted Titmice and Eastern Bluebirds are further along and are now keeping close eyes on their rambunctious fledglings.

On the first late afternoon of June within Robinson Woods III I noted 41 different species of birds including four different types of flycatchers, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Yellow-bellied, Least and Great Crested. I also heard my first Warbling Vireo of the season. This vireo has a strong preference for remaining in the upper canopy and is often very challenging to spot. Fortunately, the male’s melodious burbling tune stands out amidst the forest chatter, as they are remarkably persistent singers.

The following day I was treated to a pre dusk chorus of Veerys, Hermit Thrushes, a Winter Wren, Black-throated Green Warblers and Ovenbirds. A Wood Thrush and Scarlet Tanager briefly joined the ensemble as well. Hearing and perhaps catching a glimpse of a Wood Thrush is always a special occasion for me as their presence in our woods have become increasingly rare over the years. In Henry David Thoreau’s person journal he described this thrushes song as “a pure and unmatchable melody that changes all hours to an eternal morning.” The Wood Thrush’s scientific name is Hylocichla mustelina, meaning “weasel-colored woodland thrush” and refers to the bird’s rich, brownish red head, back, wings and tail. After some effort I found this woodland minstrel in a White Ash Tree uttering his lush, flute-like ee-oh-lay hymns.

Across the more interior intact sections of Cape Elizabeth like Gull Crest, Chestnut-sided Warblers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Ovenbirds and Pine Warblers are settling in as are Veerys. Of the thrush family, the Veery’s breezy spiraling song is enchanting as it echoes across the wooded understory. Also, in the damper deciduous and mixed woods sections were many American Redstarts. Males display black and flame colored plumage as they flutter and dart. Likely the most abundant warbler in Gull Crest is the Common Yellowthroat. The always watching male Common Yellowthroat dons a broad black mask against a bright yellow nape, crown and throat. Perpetually slinking and clucking, this warbler is a particularly curious little fellow and the birds distinctive witchety-witchetywhitchety call notes often reveal its presence.

Other mentionables across town include the following: many hundreds of Cedar Waxwings could be found throughout our woodlands, perhaps mother nature’s way of helping protect our treasured trees. Waxwings are almost always zeroed in on berry yielding trees, the exception being during peak spring inchworm periods where they feast on these destructive pests. Waxwings also love blossoms which contain the plant embryos that are a rich source of nutrition. Furthermore, while we do see Cedar Waxwings throughout the year in Cape, the masses of birds that are seen in spring are most surely migratory flocks from far away. Be sure to listen for their high-pitched flight calls which seem to ebb and flow across the upper canopies of our forests throughout the month of June.

On June 4 around dusk in my yard I heard what I thought was the buzzy peent call of a American Woodcock approaching overhead – turned out to be a Common Nighthawk.

These medium sized crepuscular birds are of the nightjar family. While they may sit motionless all day, come dawn or dusk they take to the wing to roam the skies in search of insects.

On June 6 I spotted a gathering of Least Terns just off the shore of Pond Cove. These small but might terns are the smallest of their species in the world, comparable in weight to that of a mockingbird.

And, while enjoying my morning coffee on June 8, my attention was abruptly drawn to a large, dark creature bounding through the tall grasses of my neighbor’s field. Its loping gait, impressive size, and swift pace left little doubt – it was a Fisher. Just seconds later, a Red-tailed Hawk plunged into view, swooping down at the intruder. To my astonishment, a Broad-winged Hawk soon followed, chasing after the retreating Fisher cat as well. Clearly these two raptors had no intention of letting this formidable predator linger in their territories during nesting season. Interestingly, Broad-winged Hawks travel all the way from Central and South America every spring to nest in our woodlands. Instead of flying over large bodies of open water like the Gulf of Mexico, many raptors, including the Broad-winged Hawk follow land-based routes their entire journey in order to leverage thermal air currents and glide long distances. Listen for this hawks distinctive, high-pitched whistle next time you are in Robinson Woods.

Lastly, if you were ever wondering whether birding changes your brain, the answer is yes. While pondering this question myself recently I came upon a compelling article written in the Spring of 2023 and published in The Audubon Magazine, titled “Yes, Birding Does Change Your Brain.” The article explores how birdwatching can reshape cognitive processes and enhance observational skills. The piece highlights research showing that developing expertise in bird identification rewires the brain, improving memory and pattern recognition. One example given comes from Harvard Medical School, where professor Rose H. Goldman incorporates bird identification into her medical training to sharpen students’ diagnostic abilities. Neuroscientists have found that the same brain regions activated for facial recognition also engage when distinguishing birds, reinforcing the idea that expertise in any subject can alter neural pathways. The article underscores how birding fosters deep focus, strengthens memory, and enhances perception—offering cognitive benefits beyond, dare I say, the joy of spotting a rare species.