Early one morning, as I waited for my dog Stella to do her business, I took out my cell phone and connected to a special app. It’s called Merlin.
The free app, Merlin Bird ID, offers quick identification help for all levels of bird watchers and outdoor enthusiasts to help you learn about the birds in any country in the world.
That morning, I was amazed by the number of birds in my backyard. I didn’t see them all, but Merlin and I heard them.
Here are some of the birds I heard: Red-winged Blackbird, Sandhill Crane, House Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, American Robin, Mourning Dove, Killdeer, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, American Crow, Barn Swallow, Baltimore Oriole, House Wren, Cardinal, Common Grackle, Blue Jay, Cooper’s Hawk, Black-capped Chickadee, and a crowing rooster.
I remember hearing Killdeer in my youth. Grandma Brush, who lived next door, would sit on her stoop and say, “Listen to that bird. It says it’s going to rain.” Her interpretation of the Killdeer’s call was, “Gon-na rain! Gon-na rain!” And sometimes Grandma and the bird’s prediction were right.
Since we lived near a swamp, many migratory birds stopped by as they headed north. A few mallards joined our flock of Pekin Ducks because there was always food for them at our home.
For me, spring doesn’t arrive until I hear the trill of Red-winged Blackbirds. Again, growing up next to that swamp, we always had an abundance of those birds. There might not be quite as many in my backyard today, but they continue to be a great harbinger of spring for me.
When Bob was alive, we would drive our cart down the lane in the evening to look for wildlife. Often, turkeys would be near the woods, but what we were really waiting for were whitetail deer to make an appearance.
Our outing had other highlights. One of Bob’s favorite sightings was seeing a pileated woodpecker. Unfortunately, I often missed it, only catching a glimpse as it flew far across the field.
No Pileated Woodpecker came close to our house until a couple of years ago. Bob was gone by this time, but one of those big woodpeckers came right up to our front porch to eat peanuts that had been set out for the neighborhood Blue Jays.
Again and again, it returned for some special food, even hanging off the suet feeder for a snack. I so wish Bob could have seen that.
As I was driving back from Pulaski, I had to stop my car. At the edge of a freshly worked field was a bald eagle! I rolled down my window and zoomed in with my cell phone camera to snap a shot. The best part was that it didn’t immediately fly away. My photos weren’t perfect, but they gave me a great memory to share.
Bald Eagles aren’t so rare anymore. Occasionally, one sits atop a pine tree in my backyard. The last time it visited, all I could see was its tail end. I walked around the yard, and eventually, got an unobstructed view of its head.
If you can’t get Merlin on your cellphone, try a bird guidebook. They can tell you a lot about your neighborhood’s feathered friends.
Here’s a little tip for you. Even if you love birds, never park your car under a fruited mulberry tree. Birds love those purple berries and often leave colorful deposits on vehicles. I learned this the hard way.
As the old song says: “Let’s all sing like the birds sing, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet.”
Susan Manzke, Sunnybook Farm, N8646 Miller Rd, Seymour, WI 54165; sunnybook@aol.com; susanmanzke@gmail.com; www.susanmanzke.net/blog.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin State Farmer: Who’s singing? Merlin Bird ID app unlocks a backyard chorus
Reporting by Susan Manzke, Wisconsin State Farmer / Wisconsin State Farmer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
