With the breeding season now at full tilt for most species, it seems appropriate to highlight the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and the efforts of our local surveyor, Matt Pelikan.
The BBS is an initiative led by the US Geological Survey and has been contributing to our understanding of the continent’s breeding birds for over 50 years. A collaborative international effort spanning three countries (Canada, the US, and Mexico), the survey provides population and trend data for more than 500 bird species. These important data guide conservation efforts and strategic planning for many bird-focused entities. The impressive quantity and quality of information this survey has accumulated is a true testament to what can be accomplished when goals are aligned and nations work together.
Each spring, surveyors head out on a standardized route to look and listen for signs of nesting, recording species and locations along the way. Matt Pelikan has been the Island’s surveyor for the past 20 years. He covers a route spanning from Lobsterville to West Tisbury.
Early on the morning of June 8, he conducted his survey and made note of the following observations. A willow flycatcher was a welcome find along Moshup Trail. There are several breeding records of this species on the Vineyard but they are somewhat scarce.
Common raven was detected, a species never before recorded on this survey route and a boisterous orchard oriel was heard singing near Old Stage Road.
Matt also noted several “depressing misses” and potentially concerning declines including a lack of wood thrush — a once reliable species that has not been detected for several years — scarlet tanager, barn swallow, and northern rough-winged swallow.
Additionally, only a handful of tree swallows were seen, a once abundant breeder.
Despite some disappointments, encouraging numbers of breeding yellow warblers, common yellow throats, and gray catbirds were reported.
Information collected this year will contribute to a larger dataset able to determine the validity behind the apparent trends we are witnessing — provided the program continues to be funded.
While most of the birds we are now seeing are nesting locally, there are still opportunities for surprises. Much to the excitement of the birding community, a black-necked stilt was found on the southern shoreline of Squibnocket Pond. According to eBird, this bird was originally reported by Luke McCartin the morning of June 13. Once word got out about this rare visitor, it’s safe to say every birder on Island has gone out to see it. This strikingly elegant, albeit spindly, shorebird has been quite obliging, offering great looks from the Squibnocket bridge. The bird was still present and delighting birders as of June 16.
Additionally, an acadian flycatcher was heard by David Benvent in the state forest on June 12, two continuing male gadwall were seen at Norton Point by Holly knight on June 1, and an eastern meadowlark was spotted by Mary Makepeace at the right fork parking lot on June 13.
A breeding plumage horned grebe has been lingering near Little Beach since it was first reported by Nancy Weaver and I on June 8.
Another exciting find from this week comes from our usual columnist, Robert Culbert. He reported a continuing pair of white-eyed vireo in Squibnocket. At least one bird has been singing in the area for the past several weeks indicating probable nesting. Shawn Wallace and David Benvent also reported an individual off North Tabor Farm Road on June 13.
This was also a productive week for yellow billed cuckoo reports. On June 11, Robert Culbert had one in Squibnocket and Luanne Johnson heard one off County Road. The following day, June 12, Nancy Nordin also heard one calling from her yard near Old County Road.
It’s always nice to see reports of saltmarsh sparrow given their range-wide declines. Cynthia Bloomquist and Thaw Malin saw one at Black Point Pond on June 11, David Benvent and Shawn Wallace spotted one off Edgartown Bay Road on June 12 and at Pecoy Point Preserve on June 13. The same duo also spied a purple martin at Gay Head, then later at the state forest headquarters on June 13. They also reported northern bobwhite, blue-winged warbler, and merlin from their June 12 walk at Squibnocket Pond Reservation.
Another notable raptor, a Cooper’s hawk, comes from Thaw Malin and Cynthia Bloomquist’s West Tisbury yard on June 11.
Despite being absent from the BBS, northern rough-winged swallows and wood thrush did make appearances this week. The former was seen by Cynthia Bloomquist and Thaw Malin on June 11 near Black Point Pond, and the latter was spotted on June 11 by Bryce Thompson in the woods near Lake Tashmoo and David Benvent and Shawn Wallace off Tea Lane on June 13. David also reported a female bobolink flying overhead at the Farm Institute on June 12.
Lastly, the delightfully diminutive bank swallows have returned to nest in our eroding cliffs. Reports come from Chris Schmandt at James Pond Preserve, Bob Shriber in Aquinnah, myself, Nancy Weaver, Luanne Johnson, Janet Woodcock and Margaret Curtin at Squibnocket Pond, and Shawn Wallace and David Benvent at Lucy Vincent Beach.
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