Happy June my nature loving friends. Ken Hall aka Bird Nerd here.
As a bird nerd, June is the last of my favorite three months of the year. It is the culmination of watching the orchestration of life over the previous two months. As the trees began to bloom so did the drive of our little feathered friends to find a mate, protect that find, and get down to serious procreation. These birds must win the heart of a mate. Build a home. Have children. Feed those children. Protect those children. Then wave goodbye to the kids as they leave the nest. All in a three month time frame. Then hopefully catch a little rest before many will fly hundreds of miles for the winter. That’s a lot to do in a very short amount of time.
One advantage of being a birder is you get a lot of thought time. In watching birds I couldn’t help but create a timeline from their world to ours. On average most birds will live five years. Some less, a few more. But let’s say five years. In the nest a baby goes from newborn to late teens before taking flight. By the time they are ready to get out there, the parents have sacrificed getting them to this stage, and are more than happy to see them become more self-sufficient. At the age of one they are in their early twenties, and quite full of themselves. Feeling a bit of a spark when they see an interesting bird of the opposite sex. But easily run off by the more experienced older birds. At the age of two, thirties in human equivalent, the confidence kicks in. They have become quite beautiful and charming. When seeing a potential love mate they jump right into the singles party scene. Singing, dancing, at times fighting in order to win over a lovely mate. The odds are good this will happen. However a mature three year old, mid thirties to early forties, has flown around the block a time or two. If a three-year-old decides he wants her, his charm, strength, and good looks will probably win out. At four years of age, forties and early fifty’s he still thinks he’s got it. And hasn’t quite realized yet he forgot where he put it. But he can still win the heart of a lovely young lady. At five years, the sixties and beyond come screaming in. Now is the time to find a nice cozy perch, near some good food, and kick back. They’ve earned it.
Maybe I get a bit too much thinking time. But, what this is eluding to is June is a wonderful time to witness the multitude of new life in the bird world. And we are very lucky to have some of the best viewing stations right out our back door. Wheat Ridge has done an amazing job of leaving things alone and letting nature be natural. All of this is great for nesting birds. Look to the trees. Some very elaborate nests, some holes in trees, and some gorgeous basket nests, some in the reeds or cattails. In June many babies will be more easily visible, sometimes sitting branches near the nest. A good pair of binoculars can really come in handy. But I emphasize caution. The newly fledged babies are clumsy, and have not learned to fear. So they can end up on a trail you are walking. Within easy reach of an off leash dog or an inattentive pedestrian, or bicyclist. If in a dangerous place, carefully move them off the trail. But always best to leave them be. More times than not the parents are close by.
So grab those binoculars, put the phone away, and go for a walk. I put many of my bird photos on Facebook Birds of Colorado, or Birds Friends of Colorado. Shoot me a note if you find some little ones.
Hoping to see you on the trail.
