Local birding report

Many of my most memorable bird sightings in Cape have taken place along the old stretch of Sawyer Road that crosses the Spurwink Marsh. There’s a certain magic to these wetlands—one that can only be truly felt by being out in them. At times, when no cars pass for a minute or two, standing along the road in this expansive, windswept landscape—surrounded by the calls of birds, the rustle of grass, and the gentle murmur of the great marsh itself—feels to me like stepping into another world.

Renowed conservationist Rachel Carson once wrote, “To stand at the edge of the sea, to sense the ebb and flow of the tides, to feel the breath of mist moving over a great salt marsh, to watch the flight of shore birds that have swept up and down the surf lines...is to have knowledge of things that are as nearly eternal as any earthly life can be.” For me, that sentiment perfectly captures the experience of being out in the Spurwink Marsh.

Designated as an area of Statewide Ecological Significance, Spurwink Marsh ranks among the region’s most vital bird habitats. It supports a remarkable diversity of species, including threatened and endangered birds, tidal waterfowl and wading birds.

With the proposed Spurwink Marsh Restoration Project (see the town website for details), I hope thoughtful consideration is given to the unique opportunity this road offers— not only to experience nature firsthand, but to educate us all on the importance of this land and the creatures that depend on it as both a vital migratory stopover and home. A birding observation deck on the Cape side of the marsh or a wildlife walking trail that crossed the marsh, for example, could be meaningful additions.

On September 19, along this beloved stretch of road, I watched a Northern Harrier twist and weave across the Spurwink Marsh. This slender, medium-sized raptor glided low over the grasses, its wings held in a distinctive V-shape. As it drew closer, the bird’s presence stirred a ripple of commotion across the larger pools of marsh. Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs—sometimes called “Tattlers”— sounded their alarms. Nearby, a Belted Kingfisher perched watchfully, an Osprey hovered in the distance, several Killdeer darted about, and two vociferous Willets called out. A lone Whimbrel briefly revealed its crescent-shaped bill from behind a mudflat.

Just after the Harrier disappeared from my vantage point, a small bird foraging along the roadside caught my attention. Its tail wagging gave it away: an American Pipit—the first I’ve ever seen in Cape! Back in March, I’d noted a report of a Pipit near the Spurwink River crossing, but I never managed to find that little songbird, often overlooked due to its drab coloring.

This charming, sparrow-sized bird has a modest brownish-gray body with streaking across its breast and sides. Despite its understated appearance, the American Pipit is a remarkable long-distance migrant, nesting in both Arctic tundra and alpine meadows. In Maine, it’s a state-listed endangered species, known to nest in only one place: Mount Katahdin.

Other recent sightings around the yard and field include a Brown Thrasher that’s been visiting our suet feeder throughout the day. Slightly smaller than a Blue Jay, this normally secretive bird is one of North America’s most accomplished songsters, capable of singing over 1,100 distinct song types. A gifted mimic, its vocalizations are complex and often blend calls of other birds with man-made sounds. Additionally, on September 21, Great Horned Owls were heard calling—one behind the Town Green and another off Olde Colony Lane.

In other birding news, a hybrid Black-throated Blue Warbler and Yellow-rumped Warbler was recently discovered on Hilton Head in South Carolina. While not the first warbler hybrid ever recorded, it’s the first known combination of these two particular species. Such hybridizations are often linked to habitat loss in breeding grounds.

When a bird cannot find a mate of its own species, it may settle for one closely related. Interestingly, about 10% of the world’s 10,000 bird species have been known to mate with another species.

The most common warbler hybrid is between Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers, and even three-way hybrids involving Chestnut-sided Warblers have been documented.