I have always felt that one of the most enjoyable aspects of
birding was listening to their songs and notes. I make a great
effort to learn as many as I can and to try to interpret what
they mean. Today I had a most interesting experience with the
Willow Flycatcher. I was fortunate enough to locate him on top of
an old cedar snag on our tree farm. He did his regular first
note, which is really sort of a buzz sound, and then gave the
"fitz-bew" sound. He did this in sequence or on separate short
sections. Then I heard another sound. I was very close to the
snag, looking up; the new sound was a very soft trill, and as he
gave it, his tail quivered at the exact same rhythm as the trill.
He gave this soft trill several times. I later heard it again as
I was walking through our little stream area, and sure enough,
there were Willow Flycatchers flitting around in the trees. Do
you suppose this little trill sound and tail fluttering is part
of the courtship? It was a fascinating observation.
Another experience with bird sounds and other sounds
occurred as I continued my walk along the trails through our tree
farm. I was beside a little marshy pond with a small vegetated
island when I heard rustling along the edge of the island, and
saw some movement in the low branches. I immediately got my
binoculars on the spot and found a raccoon staring back at me.
Spotted Towhees were flitting around the area, uttering their
"meow" sounds, which I believe to be their alarm, or warning
sound. They were still "meowing" when I left the area. The
Spotted Towhees have quite a repertoire of different sounds, and
I love hearing them.
Black-headed Grosbeaks were singing arias from many trees,
and the Swainson's Thrush is finally warming up his song. The two
warblers (Orange Crowned and Wilson's) that I have seen and heard
this spring have stopped singing. Have they moved on, or do they
stop singing once their territories have been established and
nesting has begun?
Observations that prompt questions!

Erin

Bill and Erin Woods Woods Tree Farm Redmond, WA U.S.A.
<wwwbike at halcyon.com>