Birds of August

The approach of August frequently brings this question from observers of nature, “What has happened to so many of the birds?” One can assume that much nesting has been completed and that the bird population has at least tripled over what it was in early May. This further leads people to expect to see a lot more birds than they have been experiencing.

There are several points to be considered. Available food for these creatures is very high during this season and consequently they don’t have to move about very much in order to obtain it. There are ample insects, caterpillars, bees and wild fruits.

Robins love to bathe and usually splash so much that everything within a foot outside the bath is wet.

Look at some of the large birds such as crows and hawks, as they fly overhead, and you will notice many are missing wing and tail feathers. Birds are entering their post-nuptial molt and are experiencing a stressful time in their lives. I have an idea that many don’t fly any more than they have to. They tend to stay put more and therefore aren’t seen as much by people.

Trees and shrub growth has filled in many of the openings that existed last spring. Hiding places abound, decreasing the likelihood of being seen by their predators as well as birdwatchers. The rank plant growth also offers birds shade, so important especially during a heat spell that is often likely to occur now.

A constant and reliable clean supply of water is a critical requirement for most birds during the heat of mid to late summer. On many occasions in the past we’ve stumbled upon sizeable concentrations of birds gathered along an isolated pond or stream where they could drink, bathe, remain cool and usually find plenty of food.

Mourning Doves will drink, but seldom take a bath.

Bird songs so abundant in spring and early summer have decreased considerably. This makes locating the birds more difficult and also makes their whereabouts less conspicuous to their natural predators. With nesting completed for many species, there is no longer need for territorial singing. Family groups are on the move, here one day, gone the next. Earlier in the birdwatching season we could quite accurately foretell which birds we would see at out feeders and the bird baths. Now the young are showing up and learning how to feed themselves.

The importance of the constant availability of water for the birds was again proven this summer in our opening near the feeders. A 12-inch-wide, 4-inch-deep clay basin (purchased at a garden supply store) placed on the ground and filled several times a day with water has added considerably to the number of birds frequenting our woods.

The Hermit Thrushes, which nest down the hill in our woods to the north of the house, come with regularity to the water. How we also enjoy watching the arrival of the Field Sparrows to the bath. Their breeding and feeding area is the five-acre field west of our house, which means they must fly at least a hundred yards or more to the sought-after water.

We have placed several thin flat stones about half the thickness of the total depth of the bath, on a third to a half of the bottom area. This enables small birds to bathe and splash comfortably and safely. Otherwise the water would be too deep for them.

We have added a simple and inexpensive dripping device to our bird bath by filling a plastic two-gallon container and placing it a few feet above the basin. A tiny hole punched into edge of the bottom, at least a half-inch above the bottom, provides a slow dripping action. Apparently the sound as well as the movement of the surface water helps to attract the birds.

A few weeks ago a female Eastern Bluebird arrived for a bath only to find the male Scarlet Tanager having a splashing good time. Mrs. Blue lowered her head, lunged at the tanager sending him flying into the woods. Within 15 seconds Mr. Blue joined his mate and they bathed together. You should have heard our ohs and ahs!

A family of robins presided over the bath yesterday morning, two adults and five young, noticeably spotted fledglings. One of the babies apparently could not get up the nerve to enter the water and instead bathed vigorously in the wet grass next to the bird bath. The splashing of its parents and siblings had produced quite a shower upon the grasses and weeds nearby and this moisture sufficed nicely for the little “chicken” Robin.

Another favorite at the birdbath is this male Indigo Bunting.

We enjoy watching the Mourning Doves drink – but seldom if ever bathe, at least in our yard. Unlike other birds that dip their bills into the water, then tip their heads sharply upward allowing the water to trickle down their throats, the doves drink as though their beaks were siphons or straws. They are capable of making sucking or pumping actions in their throats, much like a horse, all the while keeping their heads downward as they drink.

One of our favorite birds at this season is the Indigo Bunting. They come often to bathe and especially to eat tiny bits of cracked corn scattered on the driveway. The fact that the males continue to sing, as though summer has no end, places them near the pinnacle of the best and most energetic songsters.

“Sweet-sweet, where-where, here-here, see-it, see-it,” over and over they sing as though they are intent upon out-singing every other nester within earshot. What a great summer favorite they have become, especially to those who know and enjoy their music.

I hereby make a motion that the Indigo Bunting be awarded the indigo blue ribbon, the number one singer of lazy summer days!