Who Is Counting Who?

Taking part in the North American Migration Count this month, really has opened my eyes as to just how many species of birds call Fishers Island a resting place, a nesting place, and home.
I’ve got my trusty Sibley bird guide in my backpack now, so I can welcome a Northern Parula darting over my bicycle’s handlebar, so every morning I can point out the single Belted King Fisher hanging out on a telephone wire by Oyster Pond, and watch diligently for Yellow Warblers  that whiz around sprinklers on the Golf Course up east.

Yesterday, as I soared along on my bicycle west and then through woods filled with a sweet sounding symphony, orchestrated by birds along the Island Recreational Path, I could just imagine the lead conductor bird tweeting and screeching, then crowing and twittering:

“Look! Look!  There goes a Yellow-Headed Double Vans Sneakered Pedaler”.

And then at the end of the day as I headed east I met a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk that welcomed me into its world for a moment…

“Who is counting who?” we asked each other.