Sweet Auburn: The Magazine of the Friends of Mount Auburn An Oasis for Birds and Birders | Page 8

The Birding Tribe:
“A few years ago, one spring morning I watched with a friend as a
Mourning Dove built a nest with its partner. The nest was totally
exposed to view on a flat part of a low, sturdy branch of a tree.
Each flimsy strand of grass was brought and placed with care. We
thought it was great for viewing but maybe not the safest place for
a nest. Since then I have seen several similar Mourning Dove nest
construction sites. It is clear that Mourning Doves know something
about their species that we don’t know, and that’s why there are so
many of these beautiful birds.”
— John Sharp
“One Sunday in June 2011, a friend and I came upon one of the
fledged Great Horned Owls high in a pine in the Dell. Suddenly,
two adult Red-tailed Hawks flew up to the top and noisily began
lowering themselves down to the owl as we watched in horror. We
were helpless and so was the bird. Then, just over my right shoul-
der, long wings rushed to the pine and perched to the right of the
trunk at the same level as the endangered chick. The Red-tailed
Hawks hastened away. CAN YOU GUESS WHO FLEW IN? It was
the sibling chick!!! Sibling love and concern.”
— Sonia Ketchian
“I can vividly recall the first time I set foot in Mount Auburn, some
30 years ago. I wandered around not knowing where to go until
stumbling into the Dell, where a crowd of people were staring at
an adult Great Horned Owl sitting out in the open and staring
back. This was the first Great Horned I had ever seen and, to this
day, I am still astounded by the size of that bird.”
— Cliff Cook
Osprey dive at Sweet Auburn by John Harrison
“For the past ten years I have gone to Falmouth on Cape Cod photo-
graphing Ospreys every summer. For a photographer, you always
hope to catch the exhilarating Osprey dive for a fish. Ironically
enough, my only Osprey dive catch was right at Auburn Lake. On
September 28th of last year as I was photographing Red-eyed Vir-
eos at the Sweet Bay Magnolia tree along Auburn Lake, I saw an
Osprey flying over. I moved between trees and watched and photo-
graphed as the Osprey dove right before my eyes. It disappeared for
a moment and then emerged from the water. It’s fitting and proper
that my only Osprey dive would occur at Sweet Auburn. It’s a place
of surprises...”
— John Harrison
“Sweet, sweet Auburn—I am so fortunate that I am able to enjoy
Mount Auburn’s nature and beauty year-round. Let’s never take
this very special place for granted.”
— Michele Parham
“Mount Auburn is where I was first introduced to birding. I was in
junior high and my dad brought me along for an “Arbor Day and
Spring Migration” weekend event. We joined the early morn-
ing bird walk led by Bob Stymeist. I knew lots of trees, but I had
never even heard of a warbler. One of the first birds we saw was a
Black-throated Blue Warbler foraging in full sunlight at eye level
amongst the flowers of a crabapple
tree. I was amazed at the beauty of
the sight, and have been interested
in birds and birding ever since. After
that first encounter with a warbler,
I followed Bob on many other bird
walks at Mount Auburn. He was
Black-throated Blue Warbler
always so laid back; I didn’t realize
by Brooks Mathewson
until much later that he was such an
important figure in the birding community. I feel very fortunate to
have been introduced to birding by such a knowledgeable, humble,
and patient mentor.”
— Jake Barnett
“I’ve been birding at Mount Auburn Cemetery
for over 30 years and have had many treasured
moments. I remember walking one early morning
in May on Indian Ridge when a large group of
Scarlet Tanagers were sighted around Auburn
Lake. Everyone was in awe. The nesting, fledging,
and flights of the Great Horned Owls in the Honey
Locust tree was a community event. Everyone
Wood Thrush by Sandy
watched and wondered and came together to
Selesky
share in the magic. I remember hearing my first
Wood Thrush in Consecration Dell and thinking it was the most
beautiful sound in the world. Walking with the expert birders at
Mount Auburn including Bob Stymeist, Wayne Petersen, and
Jeremiah Trimble, has made me a better birder and helped me
appreciate what a magical place Mount Auburn truly is.”
— Helen Abrams
6 | Sweet Auburn
“One of my fondest memories is sitting at
Spectacle Pond on Mother’s Day, watching
a Baltimore Oriole weaving its nest, and
sharing the magic of that sighting with
others who passed by. Another favorite
memory is relaxing in the D