The bird of the week is a prothonotary warbler, first spotted by Maria Thibodeau at Sheriff’s Meadow Sanctuary on April 8. This bird is so bright yellow, “a flash of spring” according to Ms. Thibodeau, that it makes a yellow warbler look bland. If this warbler had read the literature it would have known that it was a day early, as official records for the northeastern United States has them starting to arrive on April 9. Lanny McDowell and Ken Magnuson found the bird again the next day, in the same location in the shrub thickets near the small bridge. They also observed a pale hermit thrush and a black-crowned night-heron.
On April 7, John Nelson found a few chimney swifts in Oak Bluffs. They also are a bit early, as they normally migrate into our area around April 17. The next day, John spotted the eagerly anticipated first of the season ruby-throated hummingbird in Harthaven; it was feeding on a crocus. That bird must have been hungry, as we can not imagine that there is much nectar in one of those small flowers. Maybe it was after some small insects.
Also on April 8, Lanny McDowell found a ruby-throated hummingbird at his house near Lake Tashmoo. The next day this little bird had an adventure, as it flew into his kitchen thanks to doors being open to freshen the inside air. Fortunately, it was safely escorted back outside. With these two reports, lots of hummingbird feeders will be put out (four parts water and one part sugar, food coloring is not necessary, but changing the water regularly to prevent mold is important to do). But remember that hummers are still few and far between until later this month or even early May, which are more typical arrival times for these diminutive jewels.
Also on April 8, a summer tanager showed up at Pimpneymouse Farm on Chappaquiddick, reported by Hatsy Potter. This bird is early too, as they usually start appearing on or around April 19. Lanny McDowell and Ken Magnuson found the bird again on April 10. Be aware that the females will be mostly yellow and greenish, with maybe a little orange/reddish coloration showing up on various parts of her body. This plumage can easily be confused with an immature Baltimore oriole, although their bill shapes are different.
And speaking of orioles, on April 10, Happy and Steve Spongberg found the first Baltimore oriole of the season. These reports are beginning to sound like a broken record as this species is also early, as it is not expected to arrive until the last week of April. And on April 5, they observed their first phoebe of the season. They have since had one in Aquinnah and another in their yard. Norma Holmes observed one at Quansoo Farm on April 8, and that morning Wendy Culbert heard one near Goodale’s pit in Oak Bluffs. Catherine Deese found her first one in her yard on April 10, as did Matt Pelikan and Alysa Emden.
Matt Pelikan reports his first of the season barn swallow, along Lambert’s Cove Road, on April 10. And Ken Magnuson reports his first chipping sparrow of the season, seen at the Edgartown Golf Club on April 10. We have to be careful with this latter species, as we have a few chippies that over-winter, and it would not be correct to count them as migratory arrivals. Unlike the species mentioned above, these last two species are more or less arriving on time.
This column has been bemoaning the lack of southerly winds. Certainly we all welcomed the gentle breezes and warm days this week, as they seem long overdue. We also certainly appreciate the many birds that came along with them.
Bird Sightings
Ted Rosbeck is the latest to hear the barred owl. He notes that the last syllable may be missing from his call, but that the cadence “who-cooks-for-you-who-cooks-for-you” is obvious.
Enough osprey have returned that they are now prevalent. Their sharply whistled ki-ki-ki-ki can be heard just about anywhere on the Island. Thank you to the too-numerous-to-mention observers who have called in their reports of osprey.
Pine warblers also appear to be rather common now, as Gus Ben David, Hatsy Potter, Norma Holmes, Penny Uhlendorf, Dan Bradley, and Mr. and Mrs. Spongberg have all seen and heard them. Ms. Holmes also observed a northern harrier hunting the fields of Quansoo Farm on April 8.
Jeff Bernier found the horned larks that are at State Beach on April 9.
This column closes with reports of birds that will soon be heading further north to their breeding grounds. Luanne Johnson found a solitary snow bunting on a beach in Aquinnah, Dot Packer reports two hooded mergansers from the Head of Lake Tashmoo on April 9, and Michael Ditchfield reports red-breasted nuthatches and white-throated sparrows still hanging out at his bird feeders on April 8. On April 5, Chris Matute, Wendy Culbert and I spotted a snowy owl on Cape Poge, an owl that The Trustees of Reservations staff report they have been observing for about two weeks.
The spring northward migration is now obvious while winter residents will soon be departing. Please 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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