9d • General discussion
Summer tanager singing its way into existence
This afternoon I heard a call coming from high up in the oak and hickory canopy of Norris Woods, one of the oldest growth forests in our area, although that's not saying much. Many of our Illinois woodlands were timbered over a hundred or two years ago, yet there remain some small tracts evidencing trees worthy of being called "old growth."
Those trees sprout buds in late April and early May, when the first warblers and songbirds arrive on migration. I didn't recognize the call I heard, so I opened my new downloaded Merlin app and opened its ears. It suggested both a Summer tanager and a Hairy woodpecker. I knew the Hairy's call notes by heart, so I checked my Sibley's bird app, played the Summer tanager calls, and sure enough, that was the bird.
That shows you why birding is a lifelong learning activity. I'd heard these tanagers sing before, but that was just a few years ago at Bliss Woods near our home. I'd been frustrated never seeing this tanager in Illinois before, so I played the call on the Sibley app and headed out to the woods to see if I could match it up. Sure enough, that day I heard and saw a Summer tanager. Nemesis bird no more.
Yet this find today was just as joyful. It's amazing to know that these birds were in Central and South America just a few weeks ago. They will feed and nest here this summer, and head back in late August. They take no chances on losing food supplies as they feed on insects and worms. While the bird stayed high up in the trees today, I was able to capture a few reasonably clear photos. Beautiful, strawberry-red birds!
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Summer tanager singing its way into existence
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Birding expert and wildlife artist Christopher Cudworth brings birding to life
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