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The Feathered Sights and Sounds of Summer
Written By: William McReynolds | Issue: July 2023
With everyone in their places and fully feathered, the summer symphony is once more given full voice.
Scarlet Tanager by Cindy Boos
Our woods and meadows are once again fully populated by our “fine feathered friends.” Migrating summer residents have joined the many bird species that grace the Highlands Plateau during the winter: the ever-present Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Juncos, and all our year-round avian neighbors observed by members of the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society during its annual Christmas bird count.
The marauding flocks of Pine Siskins that wintered with us this year have exited our birdfeeders like house guests gone home.
The returning birds—many of which come from their winter homes in Central and South America—bring familiar summer sights and sounds to hill and dale. Repatriated Red-eyed Vireos allow us to eavesdrop on their interrogatory, “question and answer” song, while male Indigo Buntings serenade their more modestly colored mates with couplets worthy of a Mozart minuet.
The Eastern Phoebe and Wood-Pewee broadcast their names with near-perfect pitch and enunciation. The flutelike notes of the Wood Thrush once again grace peaceful morning and early evening woodland hours. These dulcet sounds blend with the familiar importuning of the Eastern Towhee to “Drink your teeeeeea.”
The avian colors of summer come in the scarlet of the so-named tanager, yellow of the goldfinch, and orange of the occasional Baltimore Oriole. The intensely colored Indigo Bunting is iridescent in his sunlit glory. Robins’ red breasts, sans the poet’s cage, radiate a rich American chestnut-red. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks validate their descriptive names. Pairs of Cedar Waxwings appear impeccably attired for a formal occasion. Hooded Warblers and Black-throated Blue Warblers seem costumed for a masquerade ball.
The festooned musicians have taken their places in the summer trees, and the heavenly Conductor is at the podium with a raised baton. This joyous chorus commences every day in the early morning: admission is free, the program varies each day, and there is unlimited seating. Enjoy the sights and sounds of summer, courtesy of your local Audubon chapter.
The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society, focused on enjoying and preserving birds and their habitats, is a Chapter of the National Audubon Society and a 501(c)(3) organization.
Visit highlandsaudubonsociety.org for information on all local Audubon activities and membership.
