True to predictions, this has been an invasion year for the irruptive northern species of the boreal forests. Early on we noted unusually large numbers of red-breasted nuthatches, and they are still here. We have also found evening grosbeaks, pine siskins, purple finches, and a few common redpolls. Most recently, Andrew Feller sent along a report of seeing a small flock of three to four red-crossbills on Thumb Point Road on the way to Long Point on Dec. 3.
The annual Christmas Bird Count provides a great snapshot of how frequently we get these species, and the last time we recorded this species was on the 2012-13 count. It has been a while!
Mr. Feller reports that there were both males and females by a puddle in the road about 20 yards away, close enough to see their distinctive bills and identify them. Then they flew up into a pine tree and he watched them for about three minutes before they flew off. There have been a number of other December sightings of this species in southeastern Massachusetts.
Speaking of the Christmas Bird Count, it is on Saturday, Jan. 5. The forecast for Saturday is for less than ideal weather; wind we are used to, but the rain is more difficult to deal with. But deal with it we will and be out in force that day. You can expect to see groups of people with binoculars and spotting scopes walking around seeking all the birds they can find. Another reminder is that you can contribute from the comfort of your home by submitting a feeder report of the birds you see in your yard. Instructions can be found at biodiversityworksmv.org/our-projects/mv-christmas-bird-count.
The Vineyard’s count has been conducted annually since 1960, so we do not let the weather stop us (hopefully the weather forecast is wrong).
Bird Sightings
Bright yellowish-orange birds will brighten up any day, even if the Baltimore orioles are in their duller winter plumage rather than their brighter breeding garb. On Dec. 29, Laurel Wilkinson spotted two Baltimore orioles visiting her feeders. They were still present on Dec. 31. Linsey Lee and Brendan O’Neill also had one visiting their feeders on Dec. 24. Hopefully they will stick around past the Christmas Bird Count.
We have had ravens consistently this fall, which is rather remarkable since they were not seen here before about five years ago. I observed two ravens silently flying over the Verizon building in Vineyard Haven on Dec. 28. Their silhouette, with massive heads and big tails, are distinctive even when they are not vocalizing. That same day, I also had a hairy woodpecker and several red-breasted nuthatches visiting my feeder.
Holly Mercier has been enjoying the birds attracted to her feeders: northern flicker, goldfinches, house finches,
white-breasted nuthatches, tufted titmice, Carolina wrens, northern cardinals, blue jays, starlings, robins and eastern bluebirds were all present at her feeder on Dec. 28.
A police officer never knows what to expect. On Dec. 25, officer Zachary Townes responded to a report of an owl hit by a car along the West Tisbury Road. He found a northern saw-whet owl, our smallest owl. It was transported to Gus Ben David, who is rehabilitating the owl and reports that the owl has “a very promising future.”
Speaking of owls, Monte Zerbonne-Holmes found a great horned owl perched in the state forest Dec. 27. We know they are there because we hear them calling, but actually seeing one in the daylight is less common.
On Dec. 23, Lanny McDowell and Warren Woessner were scoping out a flock of at least 300 greater scaup. Within that raft of diving ducks there were four very similar-looking lesser scaup, as well as bufflehead red-breasted mergansers, surf scoters, black scoters on an Edgartown Great Pond cove. As they were watching this flock, the men noticed some motion above them where there were three immature bald eagles that quickly disappeared from their view.
A few days later, on Dec. 27, Lisa Maxfield observed an adult bald eagle flying over the hospital. She also spotted a belted kingfisher at Brush Pond.
Danguole Budris observed both a kingfisher and a great blue heron at Sepiessa Point on Dec. 29. Quite a few of them are around, as Laura Hilliard spotted one at the head of Long Cove Pond on Dec. 28, and Brian Packish found one on Chappaquiddick on Dec. 24, where he also found a flock of snow buntings and a razorbill.
It is now winter, and a few of our winter residents are still showing up. Please report all your sightings to birds@mvgazette.com.
Robert Culbert will schedule a private Guided Birding Tour with you, and is an ecological consultant with Nature Watch, LLC living in Vineyard Haven.
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