There are some curious early signs of fall in August. Already I am seeing leaves falling - not just the stressed Sweetgums but also early birds like Sourwood. Almost all the wildflowers are played out. And saddest of all for me, some species bid farewell in August. One of the more noticeable is the Gray Catbird. I expect to see the last of these neotropical migrants in the 2nd or 3rd week of August. There are Catbirds year round at our coast, but I suspect that mine come from farther afield, perhaps Cuba or the Yucatan. I will likely never know where. What I do know is that things will be much quieter and less interesting once they leave our backyard, and I am certain to miss these distinctive characters. So the countdown begins. When do I see them for the last time in 2010?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Last Days of the Catbird
There are some curious early signs of fall in August. Already I am seeing leaves falling - not just the stressed Sweetgums but also early birds like Sourwood. Almost all the wildflowers are played out. And saddest of all for me, some species bid farewell in August. One of the more noticeable is the Gray Catbird. I expect to see the last of these neotropical migrants in the 2nd or 3rd week of August. There are Catbirds year round at our coast, but I suspect that mine come from farther afield, perhaps Cuba or the Yucatan. I will likely never know where. What I do know is that things will be much quieter and less interesting once they leave our backyard, and I am certain to miss these distinctive characters. So the countdown begins. When do I see them for the last time in 2010?
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