5.22.18  Tuesday Tweets - John Wing Trail - Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Brewster, MA

If you ever ask Nature for a favor, sometimes she does reward you for asking nicely!  It was two years ago, the third week of May when I remember learning a new bird call on Tuesday Tweets - the Prairie Warbler.  The best way I can describe the sound with words (not my favorite way to share learning a call) is that it is an upwards spiral sound.  One of the bird nerds had a much fancier way of putting it.  She said it sounds like the "sound of grass growing" if that had a sound.  Love it.  Thanks Fran, I think that's perfect!
So I was hopeful.  

We had a few glimpses of Barn Swallows along the marsh and as we continued along the trail, there were multiple calls and songs, though not always with a perfect viewing of each particular bird.  A Common Yellowthroat definitely made his presence known, but was awfully sneaky hiding in the thicket as we passed.  It didn't seem to matter how patient we were, he was being camera/binocular shy.  Oh well...

The bonus area on this day was the meadow!  I had heard the Prairie Warbler several times along our walk, but it was a distant call along the way, and if you're not familiar with the sound, it pretty much blends into the avian symphony of a Cape Cod morning this time of year.  Fortunately, we seemed to be surrounded by several warblers and there was even a few minutes of a yellow battle!  Breeding season is high time for arguing and challenging over territory, and we were able to witness very up close and personal, an American Goldfinch, a Yellow Warbler and a Prairie Warbler having an Oak Tree discussion.  It definitely did not seem to be a friendly communication they were passing among themselves, but man did we get a show!   Even better, at least from my point of view... every bird nerd who joined in on this Tuesday Tweets, now KNOWS the Prairie Warbler call!  What a unique spring morning gift!  Thanks Nature! (double click photos to enlarge)

Our List:
Black-capped Chickadee
Gray Catbird
Northern Cardinal
Song Sparrow
Osprey
Common Grackle
European Starling
American Crow
House Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Yellow Warbler
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Yellowthroat
American Black Duck
Blue Jay
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
Herring Gull
Eastern Bluebird
Prairie Warbler
Eastern Towhee
American Goldfinch
Mourning Dove
Willet
American Robin
Great Black-backed Gull

Osprey

Saltmarsh Sparrow

Saltmarsh Sparrow

Saltmarsh Sparrow

Bird Nerds on the saltmarsh

Song Sparrow

Blueberries in bloom

Blue Jay

Eastern Bluebird - male

Eastern Bluebird - male 

Yellow Warbler - male

Yellow Warbler - male

Eastern Bluebird - male

Yellow Warbler - male

Praire Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Great Black-backed Gull

Osprey

Silhouette of an Eastern Towhee - male

It is FUN learning bird calls & songs!

Prairie Warbler

Prairie Warbler - I know it's not a great photo,
but I just love seeing those beautiful tiny wings take flight.

American Robin

Barn Swallow

Next opportunity for Tuesday Tweets - Brewster: 6.5.18 at 9am  4Members/$6Non-members
Happy Birding!