Summer is in full swing! Not only are gardens and flowers bursting with life and breathtaking color, but my backyard is alive with the flutter of wings and the music of every bird call imaginable.
Engrossed in a piece of historical fiction on the back porch, I was interrupted by a chorus of persistent and high-pitched whistles from the far side of the yard. The call was vaguely familiar, but it took a while of searching with my binoculars until I spotted the source of all the noise. To my delight, I saw a flock of Cedar Waxwings flitting between the trees! This is the first time I have spotted any waxwings in the yard during the summertime. Their last visit was about three years ago in the chill of winter, when I witnessed them feasting on berries from an ornamental shrub. Imagine my surprise and delight!
The cedar waxwing is without a doubt one of my favorite birds. As a young girl, the cedar waxwing was probably my first “interesting” sighting. Not to mention, they are beautiful creatures—with buff-brown bodies, jet black masks, and specks of brilliant red and yellow on the wings and tail. The same flock has appeared every evening at twilight for the past few days. Whenever I hear the distinctive, high-pitched zeeee, I know that my little friends are back again.
On a visit to the Calvin Coolidge Homestead in Plymouth Notch near Killington, I was treated to a fun sighting. Walking along the side of the road was a mother Turkey and her clutch of chicks. The mother turkey ran into the middle of the road and held out her wings in front of the car as if directing traffic. Naturally, we stopped and waiting as the mother crossed to the other side and waiting for her many babies to nervously bolt across the road in pursuit. What a great surprise to finish off the week!
Have you had any delightful surprises lately? Is there a question you’ve been dying to ask? If so, send me an e-mail at chickadee@att.net. Happy Birding!
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