As I write this post, the tears roll down my face. I realized this afternoon that I had not seen the Rose Breasted Grosbeaks who had been frequenting my birdfeeding station since mid April.
On Saturday I was surprised to see that one had gotten into my house. It did not take long for me to release it through the window, however I realize now that the sweet, charming bird was saying goodbye and likely expressing its gratitude for my consistent feeding over the past few weeks.
This is a common thing. I first experienced this last fall with the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. Several had been partaking of the nectar feeder for a few weeks. Then when I left for a conference in Montgomery, Alabama and returned, they had gone. The main tell is that the food is not as depleted as usual.
I checked birdcast and lo and behold, Sunday May 7 was a peak migration day:
I’d remarked at how much the Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks made me smile when I watched them munching sunflower kernels.
Please enjoy this gallery of the Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks from the past few weeks. They are such sweet birds.
Soon, like the Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, I will make my way to different climes. I head to upstate New York later this month to take a position as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University for Freedom on the Move.
Moving freely like the birds.
I will make sure to update the blog once I reach Brooktondale, NY– my new home for a while.
Bird Lady of Turtle Island 