I think that it is finally safe to say that summer has come to Vermont; and with rising temperatures comes a rise in bird activity, as well. The sudden and drastic rise in temperature, however, seems to have put the birds in hiding. Indeed, when the sun is at its peak, I hardly see any of my feathered friends outside. Here’s the catch: I may not see any birds for most of the day, but I can hear them. That factor made me think about the importance of the recognition of bird calls for any avian enthusiast.
As a budding bird-watcher of eight or nine, I specifically remember asking myself how I was ever to recognize any bird calls at all, let alone a multitude of them. Now, I can probably identify about fifty or sixty (after nine years’ work). A big boost for my birding ear came along with the handy and extremely useful Birdsong Identiflyer, a mini-computer with insert-able themed cards, each with sound bites of various bird songs. This clever device was very useful when it came to learning and recognizing odd bird calls. Of course, now the ubiquitous iPod has a downloadable program which makes thousands of bird calls available at your fingertips—an astonishing wealth of information!
Naturally, the best way to learn bird calls, though, is by stopping, looking, and listening. Though I fear sounding reminiscent of some kind of hackneyed street-crossing caveat, it’s true. The best way to associate birds with their various sounds is by keen sensory perception of the birds around you.
Today, at the peak of the afternoon heat, I was sitting on the porch when I heard an incessant zeeeee coming from the pine trees in the backyard. I didn’t see anything, but the sound rang a bell. Soon after, I realized that there was a flock of beautiful Cedar Waxwings flitting through the branches of the tree, nibbling on the fresh pine buds.
Later, I was doing some gardening when I heard a faint buzzing from over my shoulder. Sure enough, the feisty little hummingbird that frequents the bleeding hearts around the porch was there for a bite. He stayed for a few minutes before investigating the nectar possibilities of a rather startled cardinal on the bird feeder and then, making a speedy getaway.
Then, I heard a strange and vaguely familiar call from the bushes. Sure enough, I spotted the distinctive brilliant blue on one of my favourite summer visitors: the Indigo Bunting. The indigo buntings never stay for very long, and I usually only see them a few times each summer, so I was, needless to say, very pleased.
As I have learned, the ability to recognize bird-calls is a very central part of the birding experience. I must admit, I had never really thought about it before today’s hot and sticky weather made me pay a little closer attention to the sights and sounds around me. I stopped, I looked, I listened, and I had some great and unexpected sightings.
Have you noticed anything interesting in your backyard as of late? Do you have any comments or critiques on this column? If so, feel free to send me an e-mail at chickadee@att.net and I will be more than happy to respond.
As a budding bird-watcher of eight or nine, I specifically remember asking myself how I was ever to recognize any bird calls at all, let alone a multitude of them. Now, I can probably identify about fifty or sixty (after nine years’ work). A big boost for my birding ear came along with the handy and extremely useful Birdsong Identiflyer, a mini-computer with insert-able themed cards, each with sound bites of various bird songs. This clever device was very useful when it came to learning and recognizing odd bird calls. Of course, now the ubiquitous iPod has a downloadable program which makes thousands of bird calls available at your fingertips—an astonishing wealth of information!
Naturally, the best way to learn bird calls, though, is by stopping, looking, and listening. Though I fear sounding reminiscent of some kind of hackneyed street-crossing caveat, it’s true. The best way to associate birds with their various sounds is by keen sensory perception of the birds around you.
Today, at the peak of the afternoon heat, I was sitting on the porch when I heard an incessant zeeeee coming from the pine trees in the backyard. I didn’t see anything, but the sound rang a bell. Soon after, I realized that there was a flock of beautiful Cedar Waxwings flitting through the branches of the tree, nibbling on the fresh pine buds.
Later, I was doing some gardening when I heard a faint buzzing from over my shoulder. Sure enough, the feisty little hummingbird that frequents the bleeding hearts around the porch was there for a bite. He stayed for a few minutes before investigating the nectar possibilities of a rather startled cardinal on the bird feeder and then, making a speedy getaway.
Then, I heard a strange and vaguely familiar call from the bushes. Sure enough, I spotted the distinctive brilliant blue on one of my favourite summer visitors: the Indigo Bunting. The indigo buntings never stay for very long, and I usually only see them a few times each summer, so I was, needless to say, very pleased.
As I have learned, the ability to recognize bird-calls is a very central part of the birding experience. I must admit, I had never really thought about it before today’s hot and sticky weather made me pay a little closer attention to the sights and sounds around me. I stopped, I looked, I listened, and I had some great and unexpected sightings.
Have you noticed anything interesting in your backyard as of late? Do you have any comments or critiques on this column? If so, feel free to send me an e-mail at chickadee@att.net and I will be more than happy to respond.
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