A Bird Watcher ’ s Primer
A Bird Watcher ’ s Primer
Every year during the month of May , hundreds of birders flock to Mount Auburn from all over New England and various other parts of the world to witness the spring migration . If you are a novice birder , here is just a sampling of some of the species you may see on a spring visit to Mount Auburn .
Information taken in part from some of Friends Volunteer Bob Stymeist ’ s writings and also extracted from the Cornell Lab of Orinthology ’ s All About Birds site ( www . allaboutbirds . org ).
Eastern Bluebird ( Sialia sialis ): The Eastern Bluebird is a striking royal blue on the back and head , while its breast is a reddish-brown . Eastern Bluebirds prefer to live in vast , open spaces that are surrounded by trees , where they can perch on low branches – or even atop a flower – and survey the area for food , but they build their nests safely along the perimeter . Their song lasts only a few seconds and is lower in pitch , comprised of multiple phrases , and occasionally peppered with some abrasive notes .
Waxwing has a jaunty crest of feathers on its head . Perhaps the most striking feature of the bird is the black “ mask ” outlined in white across its face . The tail of the Cedar Waxwing is usually yellow or orange , depending upon its diet . The Cedar Waxwing has a very high-pitched whistle that sounds like “ bzeee ” or “ sreee .” In the spring months at Mount Auburn , the birds like to feed on running sap , and can actually be vulnerable to alcohol intoxication after feeding on fermenting fruit !
Cedar Waxwing ( Bombycilla cedrorum ): Grayish-brown on top and with a yellow belly , the Cedar
Below the noisy World drags by In the old way because it must , The bride with heartbreak in her eye , The mourner following hated dust : Thy duty winged flame of Spring , Is but to love and fly and sing .
Oh happy life to soar and sway Above the life by mortals led , Singing the merry months away . Master not slave of daily bread , And when the Autumn comes , to flee Wherever sunshine beckons thee !
— James Russell Lowell ( Lot 323 , Fountain Ave ), “ The Nest ”
Scarlet Tanager ( Piranga olivacea ): Aptly nicknamed the “ flame of spring ,” the Scarlet Tanager is a vibrant black-winged red bird common in the northeast forests . Often unobserved because of its rather furtive nature and partiality to Mount Auburn ’ s lush canopy , the male is vivid bright red bird with black wings and tail . The contrasting female has an olive green to yellow body with brownish olive wings and tail . The song of the male is similar to a robin ’ s , a series of short syllables sounding like “ zureet , zeeyer , zero , zeery ,” and his call is a concise “ chik-breee .”
American Goldfinch ( Spinus tristis ): When almost all other songbirds have become quiet and are busy tending young , the Goldfinch continues to sing and is very conspicuous all summer . This species is unique among the finch family because they undergo a complete molt both in the fall and again in the spring . One of the best places to see the Goldfinch up close in Mount Auburn is at the Butterfly Garden at Willow Pond and the Wildflower Meadow at Washington Tower .
Baltimore Oriole ( Icterus galbula ): One of the most colorful songbirds in our area , the Baltimore Oriole can be found at Mount Auburn from late April through
September . A preference for open spaces with tall trees makes the Cemetery the perfect destination for an Oriole and an ideal place for them to nest – as many as 12 pairs have been noted to reside here during breeding season . The male Baltimore Oriole is flame orange and black – the colors of Lord Baltimore ’ s coat-of-arms from where the name is derived . The female is similar to the male , but more subdued in color and lacks the solid black head of the male . During the first week of May , orioles can be heard throughout the Cemetery – their song is loud , clear , and flute-like .
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ( Sphyrapicus varius ): Many people believe this species of woodpecker is a mythical bird because its name is often used in jest . But it is one bird that truly lives up to its name : both males and females have yellow bellies and tree sap is their favorite meal . Males have red crowns and throats , while females have red crowns but white throats . Sapsuckers are relatively shy , often moving around a trunk or limb to avoid being studied .
10 | Sweet Auburn
Bird photos by george mclean
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