ArrayMarch 20, 2020 at 1:18 pm
By Commissioner Judy Camuso
After a quick trip to the grocery store last weekend, I was surprised, maybe even shaken by the number of empty shelves and lack of supplies. I was a little nervous, even anxious about what the next few weeks might look like. I know a lot of people are feeling the same way.
That afternoon I met a friend at Hermit Island in Phippsburg for a walk. We walked the beach, watching the tide roll in and out. I watched several male Buffleheads in the small inlet as they were eagerly courting nearby females.
If you have never seen buffleheads court, take a few minutes and watch them. It’s like watching a cartoon. The male bends his head backwards; impossibly close to hitting his back, and then whips it forward, all while swimming after any female in the area. They do this over and over, while the female appears completely uninterested, swimming around feeding and virtually ignores them. I love watching bird behavior.
After a few minutes observing, we walked the trail around the campground. This coastal property is filled with bayberry, sumac and other coastal shrubs and it’s always a good spot to see birds. Saturday was no different. In addition to all the regular winter residents you would expect to see I heard song sparrows singing; always a treat to hear the first one.
We walked a little further and I heard some birds chattering; a mixed flock of black-capped chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches, goldfinches, and then, much to my delight a male yellow-rumped warbler. The first warbler I’ve seen this spring. Earlier in the week I walked at Florida lake with a friend and we heard and then saw red-winged blackbirds and common grackles flying around the large pond. Finches are singing exuberantly everywhere I go. American Woodcock are back and displaying all over southern Maine, although I have yet to see or hear one.
In the coming weeks, hundreds of birds will be returning to the State, singing and displaying and preparing for the breeding season. Spring peepers and wood frogs will start calling in early April in Southern Maine. All the natural cycles are continuing with no regard for COVID-19 and this was enormously refreshing for me.
For me, being out in nature is restorative. It is good both physically, mentally and spiritually. It connects us to nature and feeds our souls. During these times, when schools and many businesses are closed, and opportunities to connect with other people are more limited, take solace in nature. I encourage you all to take this time and connect with nature, of course while maintaining social distancing. Keep track of the birds in your yard; contribute to our Maine Bird Atlas by logging the birds breeding your yard.
Go to your local fishing spot, and spend a morning or evening casting a line. Listen for the chorus of frogs that are about to start singing, go out and look at the constellations at night.
Explore a Wildlife Management Area near you. Observe nature; watch as the trees go from leafless, to heavy with buds to leaf out. Keep trach of the wildflowers as they emerge this spring.
Whatever your interests are, take advantage of this time to be outside and let nature help you. Being out in nature is good. Find some joy in everyday things and take solace and comfort in nature.