that Bartok Song Sparrow song again

A few years ago we had a Song Sparrow that had a very original signature song that started with a descending series of chromatic notes -- down the scale of white notes and black -- before the typical final flourish (most Song Sparrows begin their songs with repeated notes). We called them Bartok Sparrows after the Hungarian composer who was fond of those falling chromatic note sequences. The birds seemed to have passed on their musical predilections to several succeeding generations before this musical idea disappeared from the local sparrow repertoire. Now, after several years of absence, it has reappeared in the form of an alternate song of a particular male sparrow (he's always in the same spot so I assume it's always the same bird). Will it catch on again? We'll see.

A quiet midmorning -- previously notable only for the Song Sparrows and the chuck and cluck of a flock of Common Grackles -- was transformed by a song contest between two Carolina Wrens. These birds are still defending their territories on each side of the house and they are the most sexually active of all the local birds. The other day, I found a complete nest constructed under the cover of our propane tank. This nest, which wasn't there only a few days earlier, must have been built in a very short time. There were no eggs inside the hollow side opening; perhaps it was only a dummy nest (male wrens of different species are known to build dummy nests perhaps to forestall other males from using potential nesting holes). Whatever the intention, I had to clear it out before anything more serious took place. It certainly didn't seem to stop the birds which appear to be in full court press (hence all the singing) with nest building and egg laying not far behind. This would be at least their third brood of the year!

A Lesser Yellowlegs came bopping in over the marsh and landed in the muddy marsh opening in the middle while I was standing a few feet away. No other shore birds appeared but the usual herons and egrets are around including Great Blue and Green Herons. On the creek, Forster's and Least Terns continue to dominate with occasional visits from Royal and Common Terns.

The Chesterfield crane is gone. If it had remained any longer I'm sure the Ospreys would have started to construct a nest on top!

Eric Salzman