Spring is that good
Spring bird migration closes off with a grand rush — like the whoosh of vapours being released from the pressure valve of a gas can being filled to the top too fast on a hot day. The last rush of migrating birds came to the island of Newfoundland in an avalanche. Warblers are suddenly everywhere in abundance. The weather was so good for migration during the last week of May that the influx was unstoppable. Not often we can say something that good about Newfoundland weather!
The string of sunny days, albeit windy days, were good for migration. The winds were in the right direction, from the west, aiding the migrating birds to the island from their mainland sources. Labrador was part of the scene as well. Southern Labrador enjoyed a lively arrival of warblers and other migrants at the same time as the island.
WARBLER WONDERS
This is the best time to see warblers. They are extremely active now as they familiarize themselves with the patch of woods where they spent last summer. Add in the meeting up with perspective mates for the coming season there is a lot going on in the world of birds right now.
The woods are reverberating with bird song of many species. The life-blood has returned to the woods.
The gaudy colour combinations that make up of the dozen and a half species of warbler regular in Newfoundland and Labrador are mostly hidden from view after the leaves have reached full size.
Right now the brilliantly coloured warblers ever abundant in the roadside alders and deciduous shrubbery stick out like Christmas bulbs. In a week their yellows and olives will blend in behind the green leaves where they live mostly unseen all summer. Then the presence of warblers will be known more by their song.
DISTINCT SONGS
An experienced birder will walk down a trail in the woods with ears wide open and pick out a couple dozen or more bird species without ever seeing them. Every species has its own distinct territorial song plus a variety of call notes. To the practised birder all these sounds and songs are distinct and personal as are the voices of people in your “bubble.”
An additional dimension to the warbler watching this spring is an influx of Cape May and bay-breasted warblers. Normally these two species are scarce, occurring mainly in the south west corner of the province. Their numbers have been gradually increasing over the last two or three years and there is good reason for this. Both species are well known for taking advantage of outbreaks of insect pests in the forest. For example the spruce budworm. This infamous creature has been on the rampage in Quebec for the past three years. Cape May and baybreasted warblers capitalized on this abundance of food by producing large families of birds. Their skyrocketing populations have been spilling over into Newfoundland and Labrador.
PREFERRED DIETS
This year is shaping up to be the biggest year ever for these two species in the province as Newfoundland’s own spruce budworm outbreak is forecasted in parts of the west coast. Time will tell. Meanwhile we will enjoy these beauties in addition to our regular warbler roster.
Cedar waxwing is a species we tend to forget are spring arrivals. In some years they are with us over the winter.
Most of them do leave the province for the winter but return by the flock in late spring. They time it to come in late May and early June just when flowering trees are in full bloom. In spring, cedar waxwings choose a peculiar diet of pollen and petals. Apple and cherry blossoms are a favourite. Maple trees are another spring favourite of the cedar waxwing. The abundance of small red flowers provide an important food source for cedar waxwings. They find the best selection of flowering trees in urban settings where they are often encountered by people. A friendly bird by nature they are not shy about letting you enjoy their outstanding beauty.
RECENT RARITIES
Two pink-footed geese found in late May in Bonavista were very rare strays from Iceland. The pair should be on their nesting grounds in Greenland by this time of year. It is extremely unlikely that they would try to nest on this side of the Atlantic — isn’t it?
Kaylene Stagg was very lucky to photograph a tricoloured heron at Cape Freels. The one-day wonder is the rarest of the southern herons and egrets that occasionally end up in the province. Her photographs left birders drooling.
There have been many reports of rose-breasted grosbeaks and some indigo buntings and Baltimore orioles from feeder watchers across the province. These are the best of times for birds and birders as spring warms up into summer.