[Maine-birds] Song activity Viles Arboretum

Hi folks,

I went to Viles Arboretum in Augusta yesterday to check out bird song activity and to see how rapidly it decreased after 7:00 am. I arrived about 5:15 and started recording vocalizations with a shotgun mic on the south side of Piggery Road (aimed at the Arboretum).  Fortunately, a trash truck came by and opened the locked gate.  I spent most of my time along the road next to the long wetland with the boardwalk.

I kept separate half hour totals for both singing and calling birds (if different).  

Bird song activity increased around 5:45 and began to slow down around 7:15.  The weather (warm with moderate humidity) was not ideal for inducing late season song activity (cool dry air).

Species singing in large numbers throughout the 2 1/2 hour count were willow flycatchers (7 different males), song sparrow (~12), red-eyed vireos (5-7 birds) and 5 pairs of eastern kingbirds.  

Warblers that sang throughout the visit but sung sporadically or in short outbursts were yellow warblers and common yellowthroats.  There were about 8 or so of each flavor scattered in known territories.  Gray catbirds also sang throughout the visit but sporadically.

I picked up most species in a half hour of listening at multiple locations.

Our window of bird song activity has closed for many species and is closing rapidly for those still singing.  Get out into different habitats this weekend as the weather should improve.  

Good luck,

Norm

Birds singing included:

12   Song sparrow - scattered along entire length of Piggery Road starting across from the state building at the corner

7    Willow flycatcher

8    Common yellowthroat

8    Yellow warbler

1    Black-and-white warbler

6    Red-eyed vireo - most were distant birds

1    Warbling vireo - 1 partial song

3?  Red-winged blackbird - hard to distinguish birds because they were flying all over with broods

4    Gray catbird - sang irregularly

3    Swamp sparrow - very few songs

1    Chipping sparrow

5    American robin

1    Eastern bluebird

1    House wren

1    American goldfinch - heard in two different areas but they were moving around.    

1    Eastern phoebe - one song

1    Indigo bunting

2    White-breasted nuthatch - heard briefly as I was leaving

1    Mourning dove

Calling only

1    Virginia rail

2    Mallard

2    Barn swallow

5    Cedar waxwing

2    House finch

1    Common grackle

12   European starlings

1    Tufted titmouse

1    Black-capped chickadee

8-10  American crow

2    Rock pigeons

--

Norman Famous, Wetlands and Wildlife Ecologist

513 Eight Rod Road

Augusta, ME 04330

(207) 623 6072

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