Avian Tuxedos, Coloured Sprites and Masked Bandits
Hmmm, is the lesson of May to seize the elusive joy of the moment?
Ah, it has begun! The May migration spectacle – waves of birds passing through on their way to breeding grounds near and far. We in the birdwatching fraternity find it oh so very difficult to concentrate on work at this time of year as our minds turn to feathered friends.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are leading the charge. Who could ever tire of this conspicuous, handsome species? The rose red triangle on the breast flashes through the trees like a beacon. Their bright, whistling song – like a Robin with voice lessons – cheers even a rainy day.
Eastern Kingbirds in avian tuxedos, with the distinctive white edge on the tail, are a common site on fencerows and wires and along woodland edges and roadsides. Their sputtering dzee-dzee-dzee notes seem rather understated for this regal species.
Eastern Phoebes were delayed this year by the inhospitable April weather. But they are making up for lost time as all migrants are compelled to do. Not the most colourful of birds with their gray-green garb and faint wing bars. But the tail-bobbing is a dead giveaway as is their name-saying song: phoe-be, phoe-be, phoe-be.
The early arriving Hermit Thrush are now joined by their lookalike cousins. Buffy-cheeked Swainson’s Thrush with their breezy, flute-like call. Tawny brown Veerys popping up here and there with their ethereal, downward wheeling vee-ur, vee-ur. Too early yet for Wood Thrush, but they will make their appearance soon.
And of course, the ever-popular Warblers – tiny, brightly coloured sprites flitting through the trees in constant motion.
Pine Warblers being their usual, elusive selves high up in the pines. More likely to be heard than seen. Cock an ear for their lazy, musical trill.
Hyperactive Redstarts, velvet black with flashing orange patches, running along tree limbs and calling constantly: tsee tsee tsee tsee tsee-o.
Eye-catching Nashville Warblers, showing off their bright yellow throat and belly, high up or low down – equal opportunity feeders.
Witchity whitchity whitchity. No mistaking this call. Wren-like Yellowthroats, with their bandit style black face mask, sticking close to marshes and wet thickets.
Perhaps an early Ovenbird skulking along the woodland floor – thrush-like but distinguished by its bright orange crown. Almost always heard before it is seen: TE’ACHER, TE’ACHER, TE’ACHER.
Alas, there are only a few short weeks in which to catch up with and admire these winged beauties making the trek back from southern wintering grounds. Each of them is a feathered metaphor for the elusiveness of joy – so easy to miss in the hurly-burly of life – and always a reminder to seize the moment that may not come again.
~ Michael Robert Dyet is the author of “Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel” – double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog .
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