Formerly Common, now a Rarity

CaptBob wrote in post #16897618
great captures- wonder why they are in trouble. maybe these will resettle your area

Dear CaptBob,

They are in trouble because hay gets cut much too early when they are nesting in the NE USA and the eastern Canadian provinces. They nest in hayfields and back when everyone rode a horse there was plenty of hay and plenty of places to nest.

Nowadays it gets cut and barned for later and then it's back to raising more hay for later to store in the barn.

We are way behind this year so maybe they got a chance to nest and fledge their young this year?

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Fantastic set of a bird I have never seen before Ian.

Really love the pattern, nice series for sure!

Mel-S wrote in post #16897610
Do any of you have any whip-poor-will's ? I haven't heard those since I was very young in northern Michigan back in the '50's.

I live in SC. I remember hearing them growing up (90s and early 00s), but can't say I have lately.

Gorgeous set!

Such a shame that this beautiful bird is in decline, many birds in the UK are suffering due to loss of habitat. Winter crops now replace the stubble fields that supported them during the cold times. Hedgerows are dug out to create larger fields. Pest sprays denude the insect life, its little wonder that birds are struggling.

Thanks all for the comments. They are beautiful birds, related to blackbirds and orioles, and rarely seen. I saw one two years ago, and this trio was the first since. For some reason, Cornell describes them as "Least Concern", but they do comment about their declining numbers. I did enter this sighting in eBirds, which stated they are a rarity. In any event, let's hope their numbers rebound, their song is so amazing. You can hear it here.

Beautiful, Ian, and thanks for all the info.