BIRDS NOW

The Prose and Poetry of Spring

I was asked to contribute an article to our local paper, Norfolk Now.

My paintings (from left to right): an overwintering Tufted Titmouse, a short-distance migrating White-throated Sparrow, and a long-distance traveler, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Birds shown are not actual size.

As I write, the Red-winged Blackbirds are partying outside my window. Goldfinches, in their bright almost- summer feathers, make yellow polkadots in the Dogwood that will flower any day. The Phoebe (or her daughter) who has nested on our hanging porch light for the last six years is back to make her own polkadots on the welcome mat.

Scientists are now telling us that birds and birdsong improve our mood and mental health. One might conclude, therefore, that everyone in Norfolk should be happy.

Over the next four to five weeks, our bird population will increase from a few dozen overwintering species to well over a hundred who will spend the summer here. They land in order of distance traveled, first from southern states, then the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. As they arrive, they fill the long quiet of winter with song. After all the cold months, when our resident birds mostly conserved their vocalizing energy for survival, spring emerges with a complex chorus of joyful singing; claiming territory, discussing dominance and attracting mates.

Birds come to Norfolk because our environment is welcoming. All our acres of layered forests serve food for different species at every level, from canopy, mid-story, shrubs and leaf litter on the ground. Our small streams, wetlands and vernal pools mean more insects, more places to take a bath and get a drink, more choices of cool, humid, sheltered microhabitats. Because leaf-out is staggered here, there’s a longer period with excellent bugs on the menu. Not least, we have a wealth of transitions, where meadows or wetlands become forests and trails make gaps for sunlight to fill in. These edges, where one world becomes another, hold more life. They have higher diversity and number of insects, nesting cover and berry-producing plants. Little noise and light pollution, and not much large-scale industrial disturbances help bird communication, navigation and awareness of predators. In other words, this is a pretty fine place to raise an avian family. Despite rumors to the contrary, Norfolk has plenty of affordable housing and great places to eat.

But all we can count and measure doesn’t begin to capture the magic of these creatures who grace our lives every spring. For that, I offer this Haibun.

Pulsing of wingbeats following stars, thousands of miles through dreams of streams and forests and berries and bugs. Masters and teachers of light and faith, dropping and hopping in sunlight of stripes and plaids and bars, red breasts, yellow rumps, ruby crowns and crests and throats and napes. Fierce-willed, delicate, weightless, profound through myriad dangers we put in their way of habitats missing, earth defiled, cycles upended. Welcome Warbler, hello Hummingbird, nice to see you back, Baltimore Oriole. Looking good, Mr. Grosbeak. Godspeed to all of you who share our home and make us more alive. May we work to deserve your lasting presence.

Every moment

a tiny hummingbird’s heart

ten beats a second