Rain or shine I’m crazy about Whidbey Island. Each season gifts me with weather that supports unique experiences and I can honestly say I embrace them all with enthusiasm.
But entice me with long days mixed with moderate, dry weather and I soar. I don’t mind a brown, crunchy lawn underfoot. Instead of mowing I’m kayaking. And while I’m drawn to a cozy fire, I also love to open windows around the house with abandon, inviting fresh air and outside sounds in.
And I adore birds, thanks in great part to my husband the biologist who decorates our home with Sibley Bird Guides and binoculars, bird houses and feeders. Who reminds me to look up and regularly stop and listen.
Winter is quiet; summer an early morning chorus of sound. In my mind, there is no better wake up call than the flute-like song of a thrush or the chirps of a robin.
While watching birds is great fun, tuning your ears to recognize specific birds adds another satisfying dimension. It’s quite possible to identify unseen birds from a distance or when hidden by woodland habitat. All you must do is listen to their songs.
German born Ludwig Koch made the first bird song recording in 1889 and today great compilations are readily available to birders. Songs and calls are vitally important to birds as well, who have a poor sense of smell but keen hearing.
And talk about diversity! Some birds have their songs encoded at birth; others learn to sing from their fathers or nearby males. Some learn early on; others are lifelong learners. There are even specific, regional dialects. Some sing hundreds of songs; others, like the common yellowthroat, only one.
Songs are musical and complex sounds usually produced by males. When females choose a mate they often evaluate a male’s health and maturity by his song. The majority of singing happens in the early morning and late afternoon and males sing to find or communicate with mates. They also sing to protect their territories by warning other males to stay away.
Calls are not usually as musical and include shorter notes. Heard throughout the year from local birds, calls communicate many things between families and flocks. There are calls of warning. Some identify a food source. You will often hear babies begging to be fed this time of year.
I especially enjoy hearing birds while working outside. My husband is quite good at calling birds in by making a spishing sound and watching them fly to a nearby bush or tree out of sheer curiosity is quite fun.
Wednesday morning, while drinking coffee on my porch and enjoying the morning sunshine, it occurred to me that I have two choices each day. I can call and I can sing. If I call, I’m responding to something going on around me and I’m sending some kind of message. If I’m singing, I’m reaching out. I’m hoping to make connections with those within range.
