the not-so-mute Mute Swan

If you've ever been attacked by a Mute Swan, you know that they are not so mute. But it isn't only aggression that encourages them to make noise. A pair of these birds have been feeding in our pond regularly, nibbling on the algae that has been growing in the pond since the weather turned warm. These tamefowl are not at all put off by my presence (in fact, they clearly associate humans with food) and they continue to feed just a few feet away from the edge of the pond where I am standing. When they are this close, you can hear a variety of almost inaudible grunts, apparently used by the pair to keep in contact. Adult swans also maintain contact with their cygnets this way but we have not had a successful swan nesting here in the past two years in spite of the fact that there are at least two pairs in residence.

Earlier in the spring, there was a female Mallard with eight ducklings but I have not seen any sign of ducklings recently. And the Canada Geese seem to have largely abandoned the creek for greener pastures. These three constitute our common tamefowl, all introduced here, Mute Swans from Europe, the other two from the far north and west.

The Pine Neck Osprey nest may have hatchlings. When I look over there from our side, I see one adult bird perched on the edge of the nest while the other is often on a dead stub in the vicinity fileting the catch of the day. The second pair of Ospreys seem to have dropped their courting behavior although at least one of the birds is still in the area and overnights next to the Aldrich Boatyard a little ways up the creek.

The occasional odd loon -- not always identifiable as to species -- can still be seen high overhead on its southwest-to-northeast flight path, apparently still in late migration. And an occasional Chimney Swift twitters across the sky, as zig-zag in its flight as the loon is arrow-straight. Unlike the loons, Chimney Swifts are local breeders (chimneys in Riverhead, Westhampton and perhaps still East Quogue).

A major flowering plant of the moment is one of the arrowwood viburnums, probably Viburnum dentatum or Southern Arrowwood. The flowers come in slightly rounded white clusters with black seeds to follow. I assume these plants were named by native Americans because they made good arrows.

Eric Salzman