Who's Currently Singing?
5/21/22: Now, and continuing for the next 2 months, are the best times (and for many birds, the only times) to enjoy our local bird songs. Many of them quit singing around the end of July, when they're done raising their babies, so listen closely while you can, and revel in the amazing sounds that birds have evolved in order to attract mates, defend territories, and locate each other.
*****THE FIRST FEW HOURS OF THE DAY ARE THE BEST FOR LISTENING TO BIRDS!
That being said, here's the scoop: focus on the "loudbeaks" in each list. The thrushes, warblers, finches, and sparrows are good to focus on while the getting's good.
HERE'S WHAT I HEARD IN THE GREENWOOD HEIGHTS AND FRESHWATER AREA THIS 5/21/22 MORNING: Swainson's and Varied Thrushes are the thing to enjoy right now, mostly in the early morning and the hour around sunset. The first is the ethereal fluting song, and the second is the "coach's whistle," hitting a different note each time. The Purple and House Finches are bubbling away, the Wilson's Warbler is chattering in every brushy area, and, well, everything on any of the lists are taking their turns. If you're just beginning to learn earbirding, STICK WITH WHATEVER YOU HEAR REPETITIVELY! Enjoy the spring!
7/27/22: I've been in the Sierras for the past 2 weeks and today is my first morning at home (redwod/residential habitat), and, as I warned above, most of the bird breeding is finished. This allows the birds to stop most of their energy-consuming territorial and mate attraction songs and calls. Many of them, however, still "talk" to each other as a way of keeping track of their siblings and parents as they feed. Here's what I've heard by 8:00am:
1) "weep" and "ratchet" call of the Swainson's Thrush
2) "reverse dog whistle" of the Pacific Slope Flycatcher
3) "bouncing ball" of the Wrentits
4) chattering of the Chestnut-backed Chickadees
5) a Hutton's Vireo
6) the high-pitched, high-in-the-trees Golden-crowned Kinglet
7) the local Raven clan
3/12/2023: Long rainy winter! The birds are starting to show signs of life, hoping that spring is near!
1) The Swainson's Thrushes have been singing lately in the early mornings! Getting warmed up!
2) Song, White-crowned, House, Golden-crowned Sparrows are singing along the coast, along with Juncos starting up.
3) Wrentits, Chickadees, Collared Doves, House Finches, and the Hairy and Downy Woopeckers and Flickers are active (like they've been all winter).
4) Nuthatches are calling up in the snowy Kneeland area (again, like they've been doing all winter).
Let me know what you're still hearing in our other Humboldt County habitats!