Stop the presses— the dragonflies are back!

by JOHN KARRIGAN

I was going to start by saying that May weather was unusual, but I see I have started many of my June (and April and May) columns saying that. I still believe it though. On various days in the last month I thought spring was finally here. Then a day or so later, it felt like a fall day on Lake Superior. I love fall days on Lake Superior, but not when they come to Powderhorn in May. Anyway, the weather has probably had good and bad effects on birds and other critters in the area and I doubt that the effects of odd weather are over.

I love fall days on Lake Superior, but not when they come to Powderhorn in May. I doubt that the effects of odd weather are over.

I believe all the migrating water birds have moved on, leaving us with the usual Canada Geese, Mallards and Wood Ducks, and the usual broods of goslings and ducklings. The Great Blue Heron makes occasional visits, but I have not seen any Egrets, Green Herons or Black-crowned Night Herons on the lake, nor any Cormorants. One Coot, a pair of Blue-winged Teal and a male Bufflehead duck hung around early in the month. Luckily the Scaup left, because in last month’s column they were called Scamp, not Scaup. The Scaup might have been Scamps, I don’t know, but it was not the editor’s fault. The editor, rather than the hard-working person who usually prepares my columns, had to translate my handwriting into readable English.

Two shore birds were in the park, a Killdeer that I saw on only one day, and a Spotted Sandpiper that stayed for more than a week. Many or most of the turtles and frogs survived the winter and low oxygen levels. I don’t know if enough of the more unusual Map Turtles and Softshell Turtles survived to carry on the population. The Cooper’s Hawks can be seen in the park and neighborhood if you are looking closely. I have seen movement in the nest but I have no idea if it is adults or young. I can hear babies in the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker nest, but can’ t see anything. White-throated Sparrows and Song Sparrows seem to have moved on north. Chipping Sparrows are in the park and yard and might stay this year. (I always say that, but sometimes they do stay all year.)

I have not seen Eastern Kingbirds yet this year but did see what I thought was a Kingbird. Closer examination showed it was an Olive-sided Flycatcher, a relative of the Kingbird and the first one I have seen in the park. Of course Chimney Swifts and Swallows are back over the lake and park, catching insects when it is warm enough and calm enough for insects (and birds) to be flying. Speaking of that, I have seen no butterflies for some time and no dragonflies so far this year. (Hold the presses! The dragonflies are back—5/28/08.) I think I heard Nighthawks a few evenings, but they too need a reasonable population of flying insects.

Big Day!

On May 14, a sunny, low 60s day, I saw Eastern Bluebirds, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and the biggest variety of warblers I have ever seen in the park. These included Redstarts, Yellow Warblers, Magnolia Warblers, Black and White Warblers, Blackpolls, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Blackburnian Warblers, and I think at least a couple of other warbler species. Depending on wind and weather, warbler sightings have continued until the end of the month. The most consistently productive warbler area is just north of the park building to the alley, but they can be anywhere, including the island.

The month of May also brings the usual migration of misbehaved, unsupervised, ill-intentioned, out-of-control youth, which peaks about this time of year, also depending on weather. Of course, there are many more decent young people participating in softball, baseball, soccer, Frisbee, fishing or just enjoying the park.

The Yard

Our birdman spotted a Bufflehead duck hanging around Powderhorn Lake in early May.

The backyard has been pretty good this spring. The usuals (English Sparrows, Chickadees, Cardinals, Downy Woodpeckers, Pigeons, Goldfinches, Robins, Blue Jays) have been usual, with a few additional spring visitors. There was a Red-breasted Nuthatch (much rarer than the occasional White-breasted Nuthatch visitor), a Hermit Thrush (which also visited the park), a Hairy Woodpecker, a Yellow-rumped Warbler, a Common Yellowthroat, White-throated Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows and Mourning Doves.

The most unusual yard bird was probably a Sedge Wren, which stayed for about one week. We have had House Wrens make spring visits a few times, but this was the first Sedge Wren I have ever seen, and I got a good view from my “garden level” birdwatching window.

And again this year, on those still nights when the frogs are vocal, I’m able to hear them from the back yard in the middle of the night—a distance of over 1,000 feet.

Comments and observations are always welcome. Send them to me, in care of the Southside Pride. Thank you.