The warmer southwest winds this past week have given us one of the last pushes of spring migrants through our area.
The migration is slowing, and will continue to wind down through early June. It was only a week or two ago when the warblers were highlighting the migration. A few warblers will stay to nest, but the majority are moving further north to New Hampshire, Maine and Canada to breed.
But more birds will continue to move through the next week or two and it may be easier to become more familiar with the birds around us with fewer birds to distract you.
Some late warblers and vireos are still on the move. Late migrants such as cuckoos and flycatchers are also now arriving. Since these birds feast on insects, their delayed arrival ensures a more available food supply. Cuckoos are seeking caterpillars and other crawling insects that should become more plentiful as the season progresses. Cuckoos are elusive birds, but it is really cool when you see one.
Late May is also the time when nighthawks, which eat insects on the wing, move through our area in the evenings. We saw a couple of nighthawks this past week while watching a cerulean warbler on Rowley Bridge Road in Topsfield.
Nighthawks are not hawks at all, but are related to the whip-poor-will. They have an erratic flight and white bars across their long, pointed wings. They often make their presence known with a loud “peent” call as they feed overhead, but most are silent in migration. Look for them in the evening sky over the next few days.
Many of us were inundated with birds at our feeders in April and May, but in the past week or so, not so many visitors. We had numerous orioles at the jelly feeder but we are now down to just a few. However, a number of customers are still going through jars of jelly which is also enjoyed by catbirds, mockingbirds, tanagers and other fruit eating birds.
Hummingbird numbers are still entertaining many customers with feeders. More hummingbirds may wander your way as more flowers and flowering trees come to bloom in your yard. If you still have hummingbirds and orioles coming to your feeders, these are likely resident birds that are nesting in your area.
Many of our feeder birds, including orioles, chickadees, nuthatches and titmice, are also insect eaters. When insects are available, as they are right now, birds make fewer visits to feeders and take advantage of the abundance of insects. Many birds are nesting now, and they will seek insects as a source of protein for their young birds. They will make fewer visits, at least temporarily, to your feeders as a result.
Insects are also a source of water for many birds. As the days warm, and if we lack rain in warmer weather, birds will rely more on insects for their water. If you have a bird bath, that might provide another attraction for birds to visit your yard.
First broods of bluebirds have already fledged with some birds starting a second clutch. Many other birds have already had a first brood. Some will have a second or maybe a third brood so it is not too late to put up a bird house.
Many of our local cavity nesters that have two, or sometimes three broods include bluebirds, chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, woodpeckers and, of course, house sparrows. You might also catch some first-time nesters that are either late arrivals or had trouble finding a mate.
So, please don’t be concerned that “your” feeder birds are absent. Soon, they will likely return with their young fledglings to show them your feeders as a source of food. So keep your feeders stocked and ready for them. It will be fun to watch the adults feeding their young.
Our Carolina wrens are now bringing their young to the deck for mealworms. It is often comical to watch the awkward baby birds try to fend for themselves.
If the action has slowed around your feeders, now might be a good time to venture out and watch birds away from your yard. You’ll soon see that they are doing just fine out there in the natural world!