With the next equinox just a month away from today, spring is beginning to make promises outside. The sun is setting later, the days are feeling warmer — like the 70 degrees we’re experiencing in central PA today — and the soundscape is getting a little more noisy.
These longer days encourage change in the natural world around us, and spring’s early birds are already warming up their vocal chords, some of which you might have begun to hear. With it being the start of the season, fewer birds are singing, making it the perfect time to begin learning the songs of your neighborhood birds!
Birding by ear unlocks a unique world in identifying birds — a world where you don’t need a field guide or binoculars. By simply listening, you can be birding at the bus stop, on your lunch break, or heading into the grocery store.
“When a bird sings, it’s telling you what it is and where it is. Learn bird calls and open a new window on your birding.”
—Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Here are 4 birds that we’ve been hearing at Shaver’s Creek in the last week that can get you started:
Black-capped Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Northern cardinal
Tufted Titmouse
Sing-song Sources
As the season continues, you can expand your bird sound knowledge while new migrants flock to the area. Here is a great source to help build your skills:
Join us!
If you would like to study bird sounds with local birding experts, join our weekly Migration Mornings at Shaver’s Creek every Wednesday in 2018 starting April 4th! More info on the Migration Mornings page!
