Turkey Vultures and Warblers

We’re only a few days away from another wave of migratory birds, over the last couple weeks there were plenty of sightings of the expected sea ducks, hawks and other raptors. It’s interesting to hear the reports of Turkey Vultures, especially from the people who have seen one for the first time. People usually don’t trust there eyes or field guides when they see this odd bird that looks like something you see on TV eating an elephant carcass. I’ve had several people ask me what it means to see these birds, some thought it was a bad omen, some even thought it was something Biblical and were actually quite nervous. There’s no need to be scared when you see a Turkey Vulture, if one is looking at you seriously it’s already too late, they only eat carrion.

Even though there are more reports, I’m sure many of these birds go unnoticed or passed off as a crow, raven or eagle. Most people who call me have seen them at very close range, close enough to see the naked red head of the adult or dark gray of the juvenile. Once you observe them in flight for a while you’ll be able to pick them out even at great distances. Turkey Vultures hold there wings upward in a V-shape or dihedral and can soar for hours without ever flapping a wing. If you’re directly under one of these birds you’ll notice the wings look like a great plank with a tail in the middle and compared to the other large black birds vultures appear to have no head. The primary flight feathers are silvery gray but depending on whether the sun is hitting them or not, they may appear white or black. If you ever drive by and see me in the yard staring up at the sky, unmoving for several minutes, it’s likely a Turkey Vulture that has my attention. I don’t even run for my binoculars any more, I just really like watching these guys soar and wonder what it must be like to go for so long with so little effort, I suppose it’s like a hang glider. Someday I may try hang gliding, but it has to be on my terms, maybe jumping off a chair first, I guess when it comes to heights, I’m more chicken than vulture.

Vultures have a better developed sense of smell than other birds and can find food hidden under the forest canopy, you’d think a bird who makes his living cleaning up dead animals would want a decreased sense of smell, but who knows, to a vulture a 3 day old skunk carcass probably smells like fresh baked bread.

There is a large number of Turkey Vultures in the Saint John area and more every year in the Hillsborough to Alma area, last summer I noticed 5 following the trail ride at Broadleaf Farms, they were putting on quite an aerial show coming over route 114 and flashing their light under wings. Their flight reminded me more of swallow or nighthawk that would be catching insects on the wing, quite an impressive show for such a large bird. I didn’t find out why they were in that area, maybe the trail ride flushed them off a carcass or maybe one of the horses had a limp.

This next wave of migration is for sure my favourite, it includes so many birds that we only see this time of year and most of them are full of colour and song. Mid-May is a great time to get out and brush up on your bird identification. Although there are more birds around in late summer and early fall, they are easier to find in May, their breeding plumage is usually more conspicuous, the males are singing like the survival of the species depends on it and, maybe the biggest advantage, the trees haven’t leafed out yet. (I should mention too that it’s a lot easier to hold your binoculars on a small bird flitting through the trees when you’re not swatting mosquitoes with one hand.)

Every year there are several birding festivals held during this time. The most popular ones that I’m aware of are in Point Pele and Long Point, Ontario. Hundreds of birders flock to the area for the big week end, there are a few species that they get to see that wouldn’t be likely in New Brunswick, but the big thing that we have that Ontario’s festivals don’t have is elbow room. Before you go there you have to get used to holding your binoculars with you elbows tucked in, so the people pressed up to either side of you will be able to squeeze in. You do get to do some hiking though, because if your not there before 6 a.m. you’ll have to park a mile down the road. I’ll stay here thanks, where I’m sure if we had as many eyes looking for birds we could likely find 95% of the birds they see in Ontario, but keep that to yourself, I see enough birds but mostly I enjoy the solitude.

What I’m mostly on the look out for are warblers, we have 40 species of warblers that have been documented in New Brunswick, but we aren’t likely to see that many in a single year. I’m happy to see or hear the majority of the 23 species that nest annually. We have some warbler hot spots right here in Albert County, but I’m sure anywhere the early morning sun shines on the edge of evergreens, causing them to heat up quickly and the insects to be active earlier would be as productive. Also, by being on the edge you are afforded better views of the birds as they fly off a perch into the opening to fly catch and return to their perch.

It’s always a good idea to brush up on warbler song before the season arrives, many of our warblers have a distinctive song that isn’t that hard to remember. The instructional recording offer phases to help you, like the Yellow Warbler who says, “Sweet, sweet, sweet, I’m-so-sweet”...maybe a little conceited? Then there’s my favourite, the Chestnut-sided Warbler who says, “Pleased, pleased, pleased to MEETCHA”…so polite.

There are several ways to lure a bird in for a closer look, usually a couple “pish” sounds (like calling a cat) will do the trick, there are squeaky bird calls and, with the increased popularity of MP3 players, people are using recorded bird calls. Any of these methods are acceptable as long as used in moderation, don’t continually go to the same territory and play the song of a competing male bird, it will likely drive the birds away (or crazy). You are only trying to spark some curiosity in the bird so he or she comes over for a closer look, then you should stop.

One sure fire method that never fails to attract several birds at one time is the trickling sound of running water. We all know how drippers and pumps attract birds to our bird baths, well it works equally well in the woods. I don’t mean you should set up a water feature in the middle of nowhere, I’m simply talking about relieving your bladder in the woods. It never fails, you’ll see 10 different species in time it takes, and your trying to identify all of them with only one hand on your binoculars. I used to think it was just coincidence, but it happens too often, maybe it’s something the birds learn to do for fun and is passed on from generation to generation… “OK kids, when you see a birder taking a whiz, everybody fly in at once, it’s a hoot, 9 times out of 10 he pees on his leg.”

On that note, get ready to enjoy birding New Brunswick in May, all you have to do is walk out your door and enjoy what costs others their entire vacation budget.