"You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintery light. But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen. When the cold rains kept on and killed the spring, it was as though a young person died for no reason."
― Ernest Hemingway
It's another overcast and rainy day here in southern Wisconsin. We had much nicer weather last weekend, so I birded the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor with Sylvia Marek both Sunday and Monday. We tallied nearly 20 warbler species including a couple of Black-throated Blue Warblers. Dottie Johnson has been visiting her mom in North Carolina since early August, so she's looking forward to returning to the corridor in about a week. There will still be decent songbird migration, though the diversity might be down a bit by that time.
Though the woodland realm is still very lush and green at the present time, there are noteworthy cues that summer is drawing to a close. Naturally, the presence of various southbound warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and thrushes that are moving through right now are a harbinger of autumn. The waning photoperiod rendering patches of yellow, orange, red, and purple in the canopy ― a slight cool breeze prompting trees to release leaves. Sometimes a falling leaf resembles a warbler chasing down an insect, persuading me to bring my binoculars up to my eyes.
Experiencing fall avian migration is rich in seasonal sights, sounds, and scents; the mix of late summer wildflowers, decaying vegetation, and pleasant harvest-type smells ― olfaction is linked with memory. The harmony of the morning avian chorus has been replaced with various chip, zeet, and tisp calls. I heard a Tennessee Warbler attempt to sing full-song, but it was fragmented and discordant ― still, I recognized it. For someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, the deep sensory mixture elicits a reminiscence that's a little melancholic, but also entirely delightful. But we all know what's coming; while that's also beautiful, it's hard to let go. There's still a solid month or so of ease and comfort before November's chill.
Gorgeous scenes on trails ...
Late summer wildflowers (Gaura and New England Aster) ...
The tail-end of summer insecting ...
It's been a wonderful spring and summer with many interesting and fun experiences with Nature. Other naturalists have observed and commented on lower insect numbers. I agree it's true, especially with butterflies ― there haven't been as many, but I couldn't tell you exactly why. The tiger beetle season isn't quite over and I'm still contemplating trips for Cow Path and Twelve-spotted. Population-wise, the beetle numbers seemed pretty typical to me. Not having as many mosquitoes around has been nice, but they do provide other critters with energy ― what are they eating instead?
September 4th & 5th, 2022
Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor
Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor
56 Species
Wood Duck
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Baltimore Oriole
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Golden-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Canada Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
All images © 2022 Mike McDowell