Towards the end of week 17 southerly winds brought a noticeable change in the status and abundance of birds. I suspect that week 18 will see a profound difference in the diversity of species.
Pine Warblers have mostly disappeared from the trees, Palm Warbler numbers have declined, but Yellow-rumped Warblers have remained the dominant warbler species. By the weekend there were several more new warbler arrivals with 12 species observed during my weekend tours. In addition, many more Baltimore and Orchard Orioles could be heard chattering in the treetops. The cemetery's oak trees are now bejewelled with dangling, mustard-colored catkins drawing insects, which in turn, attract the hungry songbirds.
The ponds, which had been the winter domain of the hardy Great Blue Heron, will now share them with Great Egrets and Green Herons until the fall. With a little luck, I'll find a Green Heron nest somewhere near the water's edge.
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Great Egret
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Green Heron
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The early Brown Thrashers have establised their territories and can be found serenading from high perches daily. The Gray Catbird, their smaller cousin, has just arriving in good numbers, signaling that we are approaching peak migration.
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Brown Thrasher
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Gray Catbird
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Both species of oriole are long distance migrants wintering in Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, and the northern tip of South America. So glad these beautiful birds decide to stop off in Brooklyn...with some nesting here.
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Baltimore Oriole
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Immature Orchard Oriole
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To give you an idea of how the weather affects the status of northbound migrant birds, on Wednesday I observed 52 species of bird. By Friday night the winds moved to the south, giving these feathered travellers a tailwind to assist in their long journey. On Sunday my walks saw 72 species. My warbler list alone was Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Waterthrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Palm Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Prairie Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler. That is nearly double from only a few days earlier.
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Yellow Warbler
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As the water level at Sylvan Water remains low, several Northern Rough-winged Swallows have been exploring the newly revealed drain holes on the lake's island. This burrow nesting species will also make use of crevices in gutters, drainpipes, walls, and bridges. If they remain and nest in the cemetery it will be the first time ever.
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Northern Rough-winged Swallow
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The number of blooming wildflowers and shrubs are almost too numerous to list here. Instead, here are a few noteworthy ones from last week.
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| Drooping Star-of-Bethlehem |
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| Wild Blue Phlox |
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| Tulip |
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| Tulips |
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| Chokecherry |
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Blue Iris
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I haven't seen a lot of pollinators other than the previously mentioned butterflies. Queen Bumblebees emerged from hibernation a couple of weeks ago and that species is currently the dominant pollinator visiting the flowers. They will have a lot of competition shortly.
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| Bumblebee |
One flying migrant of the non-avian variety that I spotted last week was a nice surprise. I've seen bats flying around Brooklyn many times, but it was the first time I found an Eastern Red Bat sleeping in a tree. This short distance migrant winters in the warmer southern parts of the country then flies as far as Canada during the spring to breed.
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Eastern Red Bat
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Finally, here are a few recently flowering trees that caught my eye.
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Unusual yellow flowered Saucer Magnolia
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Mountain Silverbell
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River Birch
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If you haven't been getting outside much, this is the week to make the effort. I guarantee it will be worth it.
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