It’s the most wonderful time of the year. So goes a well-known Christmas carol, but the tune plays in my head during Spring bird migration. It plays, that is, when it’s not drowned out by the abundant birdsong that fills the woods and fields on my birding outings.
This morning, I went to the Reed-Bryan side of the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm, a strategic decision less for the birds and more for my wife’s Mother’s Day request for bagels from the shop near the park.
I had a delightful morning outing. One of the highlights was watching the Baltimore oriole atop this post land high up in a tree, chasing off an indigo bunting that had already staked the spot out.
A short while later, I heard a rose-breasted grosbeak singing. It was high up in another tree, and I walked as quickly as I could to get into position to take its portrait. The sun was shining, and I was grateful for that. I was also grateful for the burst capacity on my Canon R-7 camera, which enabled me to catch shots of the bird with its big bill open as it sang.
Yesterday on my walk on the Pole Farm side of the park, I pulled out my iPhone and on Merlin recorded this 41-second clip of birds singing in the woods.
It’s a virtual symphony featuring (not in order of appearance) an ovenbird, red-eyed vireo, wood thrush, tufted titmouse, gray catbird and Eastern towhee. That’s what Merlin identified, although I can’t say I can pick out each of them. But it’s a wonderful (there’s that word again!) example of what Spring migration brings.
The oriole I saw today wasn’t singing, and I was so busy shooting photos that I didn’t record the grosbeak. I’ll save that for another day of good cheer. 🦅
The Jersey Birder 
I love your sound recording! I heard most prominently one of the vireos–I don’t think red-eyed or white-eyed. I don’t know the others! Also that very loud oven bird, then titmouse and wood thrush. Fun to listen along with you!
LikeLike
Those ovenbirds are LOUD. We have lots of red-eyed vireos, but darned if I can spot one to photograph!
LikeLike