The pace of migration is beginning to pick up. Not surprising as we sort of had spring-like weather over the Easter weekend, maybe the first southerly winds we have had this year. I guess it is true that if March comes in like a lion — which it certainly did — then it goes out like a lamb.
The first tree swallows of the season have arrived, as Martha Moore spotted this voracious insect-eating species near Long Point on March 31. Also that day Luanne Johnson, Margaret Curtin and Nancy Weaver spotted two barn swallows (hey usually arrive several weeks after the tree swallows) along the bluffs at Wasque Point. They also observed 46 northern gannets and a bunch of red-throated loons, as well as a hermit thrush and a singing pine warbler. An eastern phoebe was singing in Luanne Johnson’s yard when she returned home.
John Nelson also reports gannets (seven of them) plunge-diving for fish off East Chop on April 1. Olsen Houghton also observed a gannet near State Beach on April 1. That gannets suddenly appeared in three different locations over Easter weekend, after being absent most of the winter, indicates that herring are beginning to run.
The first kestrel of the year was reported by John Nelson. He found a female kestrel in the Farm Institute fields.
Carolina wrens are not to be outdone by migrants that are arriving. Happy and Steve Spongberg report that they observed one carrying nesting material to a nest near their house on March 28. Any bird carrying vegetation is in the process of nest-building, so the sighting confirms that they are nesting nearby.
Bird Sightings
Shep Shove has a sharp-shinned hawk that is frequenting his bird feeders.
Ospreys continue to arrive. Sarah Cook spotted two osprey at Wade’s Cove on Chilmark Pond on March 29. Martha Moore saw a pair of osprey on the pole at Long Point on March 31. That same day, Alan Slater reports that they returned to the nest near his driveway. Lindsay Allison saw a pair return to the pole at Snow’s Point on Chappaquiddick on April 1, and that day she also spotted two osprey on the nest at Mytoi. Olsen Houghton spotted three osprey at the entrance of Lake Tashmoo on April 1 (he also spotted a bunch of fish crows there, so they are still around), and Scott Bliss saw the Harthaven ospreys on April 3.
Warren Woessner spotted four oystercatchers at Wilson’s Landing on Edgartown Great Pond on April 1.
While looking over the marshes by Brush Pond on April 1, Lisa Maxfield found a great egret.
Ellen Leverenz carefully identified a wintering hermit thrush by its appearance and its call note as it perched in a stream-side thicket on April 1. If it were an early migrant it would likely be singing its flute-like song at dawn and dusk.
Lanny McDowell and Pete Gilmore report common and red-throated loons present in Lagoon Pond. A tidal pond is an unusual location for the red-throated, as they are usually on the Sound or the ocean.
Rob Bierregaard and Dick Jennings birded the beaches of Chappaquiddick on March 30, and their highlights included a peregrine falcon, two snowy owls, and a northern harrier. They also spotted oystercatchers, dunlin, black-bellied plovers, and Sanderlings.
Snowy owls are still around, although they will soon depart for the season. About two weeks ago, Chris Carroll spotted four of these impressive owls along the Edgartown Great Pond Beach, and more recently Sally Barkan spotted her first snowy on State Beach on April 1. Olsen Houghton also spotted the same snowy on March 31. This bird has been very cooperative. It has been there for most of the winter and has tolerated a great many people observers.
Spring migrants are showing up with increasing frequency and bird song is louder and more frequent. Please report your sightings to birds@mvgazette.com.
Robert Culbert is an ecological consultant living in Vineyard Haven.
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