Words On Birds 08-14-26

 

     It is mid-August and the greenheads are gone from Plum Island only to be replaced by mosquitoes and no-see-ums. With such plentiful insects available on Plum Island, and ample bayberry fruit to feed on, tens of thousands of swallows are congregating on the Island. This annual bird spectacle is peaking in the next couple of weeks, and one worth seeing before they are gone by month’s end. 

 

     Swallows eat flying insects on the wing which make them very beneficial. They are a critical part of the food chain, and they help naturally control flying insect populations. The swallows form large, swarming clouds as they feed, and you can also see them skim insects off the surface of the pools. 

 

     The majority of swallows are tree swallows, with iridescent blue backs and white underneath. Young tree swallows are brown on the back. Mixed in are a small number of barn and bank swallows and the larger purple martins. Speaking of purple martins, there are still a few young in the gourds at Lot 1 on the refuge, but most have fledged and have joined the flocks of swallows.

 

     Large congregations of swallows can be seen all along the refuge road anytime during the day as these birds gather and move along the dunes and marsh. Drive slowly along the refuge road as these birds will also land on right on the pavement. 

 

     In the early evening, thousands of swallows are “staging” in the cattails of North Pool and feeding on the evening insects. You can watch them from the North Pool Overlook, or experience them flying all around you on the dike behind Hellcat.

 

     If you want to experience this spectacle with others, you can join Bill Gette and the Friends of Parker River on Tuesday, August 25  (rain date Wednesday, August 26) 5:30pm until dark.  Meet at the tower on the dike at the Hellcat Wildlife Observation Area (Parking Lot #4) on the refuge. It is free, open to all ages and abilities, and families are encouraged to participate! It is a great way to experience this annual phenomenon of countless swallows and egrets as they make their way to roost for the night.

 

     Last year, snowy and great egrets were “staging” in Bill Forward Pool, which added to the swallow experience from the Hellcat dike. You will likely see many egrets, and a few night herons, flying by, and a few many land. However, this year, the majority of egrets are staging at Stage Island Pool further south on the refuge. There, you can see hundreds of egrets congregating in the lowered pool during the late day and evening before flying off just before sunset to other night roosting areas. It is also a sight worth seeing.

 

     It is as if the egrets know that this is the last year that they will be able to gather at Stage Island Pool. By next year, the refuge plans to breach the dike at Stage Island, destroy this valuable fresh-water marsh and turn it into an experiment to recreate more salt marsh. This fresh-water marsh that is home to nesting ducks, swans, Virginia and sora rails, American and least bitterns, and thousands of migrating ducks, shorebirds, and egrets will be gone next year. This fresh-water marsh, that the Refuge itself created seventy years ago just for this purpose, will be destroyed.

 

     Yes, the egrets will likely gather back at Bill Forward Pool next year. That is, until the Refuge carries out its plan to breach and destroy the Bill Forward Pool next.  And then, ultimately the North Pool where all those swarms of swallows gather and rest. So do enjoy them while you still can.