Vineyard Trail

Another SOFO walk on the Vineyard Trails entitled "Birding by Ear" took place this morning. I was worried that the birds might have stopped singing but activity was still high; many young birds have fledged and were conspicuous. As always, the morning star was the blue, blue Indigo Bunting singing and feeding all around the perimeter and into the big meadow behind the Museum in Bridgehampton. This must be the world capital of Indigo Buntingdom -- or at least the LI capital of same -- and the birds continue (or have resumed) singing from their high perches. There are young ones around but, somewhat discouragingly, at least one pair was feeding young Cowbirds!

It was a halcyon day for butterflies with many, many Common Wood-Nymphs flying everywhere. Also American Copper, Pearly Crescent, Red Admiral and others. Milkweed was in bloom and there were Monarch caterpillars feeding and at least one Monarch flying. A smaller orange Monarch-type with a different mode of flight may have been a Viceroy.

The most startling sight were the Elegant Stinkhorns, Mutinus elegans, blooming in the Butterfly Garden (and apparently elsewhere). If you are wondering what an Elegant Stinkhorn might be, check out the photo below (yes it is a fungus).

Here is the full bird list:

Wild Turkey (seen on the way in )
Double-crested Cormorant (overhead)
Osprey (overhead)
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift (overhead)
Red-headed Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker (heard)
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Red-eyed Vireo (heard)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee (heard)
Tufted Titmouse (Heard)
House Wren
Carolina Wren (heard)
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Common Yellowthroat
Chipping Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Red-winded Blackbird
Common Grackle
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch (heard)

32 species

Eric Salzman