A beautiful fall day in early June

Today was like a beautiful fall day -- on the 2nd of June! Eileen Schwinn came over, at least partly in the hope of seeing the amorous cuckoos of the day before yesterday. Alas, no cuckoos (although, before Eileen came, I did hear a distant rhythmic call that may have been a Black-billed Cuckoo). The most unexpected sound of the day was a brief double nuthatch call, probably a White-breasted Nuthatch which, however, did not show itself. House Finches, in short supply these days due to a serious eye disease that has decimated their ranks, turned up twice: once a single male, the other time a small group of four birds. The high-pitched sound of Cedar Waxwing was in evidence more than once but no waxwing flocks were seen; the birds may already be paired off and they are difficult to find poking around in the greenery.

A second Common Yellowthroat, singing 'weechity-weechity-weech' in a robust tone has commandeered one corner of the 'front range' -- the tree cover facing east across the extension of the marsh. The first Yellowthroat, singing 'weetchy-weetchy-weetch' in a thinner tone, still occupies the head of the marsh where it has been since early May (and where I have also seen a female). In another bit of bird news, the House Wren that has been singing since early May around the 'Jurassic Park Woods', has discovered our neighbor's collection of a dozen or so Hansel-and-Gretel bird houses surrounding their swimming pool and has moved over to occupy the site. You would expect a cuckoo-clock cuckoo to come popping out of one of these nest box holes but until now, no bird (not even a House Sparrow) has taken an interest. One of them would certainly make a perfect House Wren house and, judging by his persistence, this little troglodyte (Troglodytes aedon) seems to agree.

The Willet was again on his guard post on top of the dead cedar with a second Willet in the pond. Purple Martins were swarming all over the place and there were singing visits from Pine Warbler and Great Crested Flycatcher. Otherwise things were quiet. The morning chorus has dwindled to a few early morning solos as birds are distracted by nesting duties.

Eric Salzman