In other dispatches from cicada land, here in my yard in the Highlands, and in
Cherokee Park, which have been Cicada Central, the din is much quieter, nearly
absent in the 'hood except for individual singers. There are still plenty
flying everywhere I look, but many of the singers seem to think their job is
done. I've been wondering if cicadas would disperse far from where they
emerge. Other things of interest I've seen sitting out on the deck this
afternoon:
- The House Sparrows and starlings seem to have really upped their skill level
and are entertaining me with their agile pursuit and mid-air catches.
- I saw a House Sparrow nab a bug midair, fly to the corner of our garage and
drop it in the gutter. Is he caching it because he and his offspring are just
too full to eat?
- I saw a robin land on a line with a cicada in his bill. After some time he
tried out a couple of trees. He spent a long time in each spot making that
chirpy Robin call. I assume he was trying to find family members who might
appreciate a tasty bug, but he got no takers.
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On Jun 14, 2021, 10:52 AM, at 10:52 AM, brainard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
This morning I opened a window to let in some of the refreshing air and
a Yellow-throated Vireo was singing out in the back yard. One has not
been around since 11 May (Jackie Elmore heard one on another part of
the farm but I had missed it) so I wonder about its story? Late
migrant, early migrant, wanding breeder or post breeder? ? ?
Over the past several days, our farm -- which was heretofore not
inhabited by many periodical cicadas -- has seen a remarkable increase
in the number of the orange-and- black beasts. Yesterday afternoon
there was quite the din of singing, especially on the west side of the
farm. I wonder if these are insects dispersing out of the areas to our
west 2-3 miles away that have been buried by them over the past few
weeks? ? ?
Yesterday I ran my fourth BBS route of the season. It is clear from the
results of those surveys that Eastern Bluebirds did take quite a hit
during the late winter season. I look forward to (just for the sake of
good documentation, not the anticipated bad news) a report of results
of nest monitoring by Bob and Judy Peak. Good thing about bluebirds is
that they always seem to rebound pretty quickly. I was glad to hear
three Grasshopper Sparrows and a Henslow's Sparrow yesterday on the
route (Taylor County). I've missed them on the other two routes I've
done with grassland habitat this year. It seems to me that these two
species have declined again over the past several years after having
been increasingly numerous over the prior decade or two.
bpb, Louisville
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