Yesterday the most prominent of our birds arriving from Central and South America were returning to the woods and filling it with their songs. The wood thrush, which was John J. Audubon’s favorite bird, has the flute like song heard at dawn, dusk and when clouds mask the sun. Ovenbirds and hooded warblers were also heard and indicate the spring songbird migration is well underway. Over the weekend a black-throated green warbler was heard. Local birders estimate over 80 species of birds use the woods.
Here are Audubon’s words: “Kind reader, you now see before you my greatest favourite of the feathered tribes of our woods. To it I owe much. How often has it revived my drooping spirits, when I have listened to its wild notes in the forest. The song of the Wood Thrush, although composed of but few notes, is so powerful, distinct, clear, and mellow, that it is impossible for any person to hear it without being struck by the effect which it produces on the mind. I do not know to what instrumental sounds I can compare these notes, for I really know none so melodious and harmonical. ”
Wood thrush