Any hummingbird in November or December is newsworthy, and it is exciting that Gary Mirando and Anne Richards spotted a hummingbird in their yard (near Christiantown) on Nov. 24. They immediately put out their feeder, and the hummer has been a regular there. On Dec. 5, Juan Moré spotted likely the same hummer in his yard. We are not yet sure which species of hummingbird it is, as a western stray is as likely as a ruby-throated hummingbird. This is a nice “problem” to have.
As frequent readers of this column may remember, we had three hummingbirds present in December 2012 and into January 2013, which was totally unexpected. Two were ruby-throated and one was an Allen’s hummingbird. The Allen’s survived the longest, until a severe cold snap of below-freezing temperatures in mid-January.
Bird Sightings
On Dec. 4, Jeff Bernier visited Menemsha and observed a Forster’s tern mixed in with a small flock of Bonaparte’s gulls. It is amazing how similar these two species are, in looks and behavior. The Bonaparte’s gull is expected at this time of the year, but the Forster’s tern is getting late, although there have been a few December and January sightings.
The Canada geese and brant are back in their full winter grazing mode at Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs. Rodrigo Ferreira photographed them on Dec. 4, and recently Susan Whiting estimated about 300 individuals of both species were there.
John Nelson reports a large influx of dark-eyed juncos on Dec. 4. Along these lines Susan Whiting notes that her junco population has more than tripled, from three to 11. Holly Mercier, Mary Surprenant, Diane Crane, Jo-Ann Eccher, Niki Patton and Tom Hodgson also report more juncos at their feeders.
Jeff Bernier observed a pale yellowish house finch while he was checking out the bird feeders at the Edgartown Golf Club on Dec. 3. This bird’s diet while molting apparently lacked the usual dietary carotenoids, the same chemical that makes flamingos pink. Their liver breaks carotenoids down into pigments that make newly growing feathers red. Experiments have shown that females tend to mate with the brighter red male house finches – the individuals with more carotenoids in their diet. So the prospects for this yellowish finch are not the best.
Ken Magnuson visited the cliffs at Aquinnah on Dec. 3 and found 20 tree swallows, a couple of catbirds and a Baltimore oriole. He then joined up with Lanny McDowell and they found a savannah sparrow and a seaside sparrows at Katama. The latter species is a secretive salt marsh specialist that walks around the bases of marsh plants and generally remains out of sight.
Speaking of species that skulk around deep in the underbrush, the yellow-breasted chat is still hanging out at the Edgartown Golf Club, as Mr. McDowell observed it on Dec. 2. It has been easy to find (for a chat) for about a month.
The Cape Pogue Elbow hosted a juvenile American oystercatcher on Dec. 2. It was spotted by Antone Lima. It is getting late for this species to be here, but we have occasionally had oystercatchers stay as late as early January before heading further south.
Flip Harrington observed 30 tree swallows at Quansoo on Nov. 30. Is this the same flock of tree swallows that Mr. Magnuson saw a few days later at the cliffs?
Susan Whiting reports that the white-throated sparrows have returned to her feeder after an absence of a few weeks. A pine warbler and some field sparrows are still visiting her feeders too.
Gus Ben David reports that a solitary wood duck appeared on one of his ponds on Nov. 30. This was the first wood duck he has seen in a few months. Their absence this fall has been unusual.
There were at least 30 turkey vultures circling low overhead along the road to the West Tisbury transfer station in the late afternoon of Nov. 27, reports Susie Bowman. At that late hour, as dusk approaches, these vultures are often near their nocturnal roost. Might these be the vultures that in past winters had roosted near the Tisbury School?
And last but not least, please remember to bring your children to the first annual Christmas Bird Count for kids this Sunday (Dec. 11) at Long Point Wildlife Refuge. This event is from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and binoculars will be provided. The event is free and snacks will be provided, but pre-registration via email (mpeach@thetrustees.org) is required. See you there!
Winter residents are arriving and rarities are still migrating through. Please look for them and report your sightings to birds@mvgazette.com.
Robert Culbert leads Guided Birding Tours and is an ecological consultant living in Vineyard Haven.
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