(Chelsea Update would like to thank Tom Hodgson and the Waterloo Natural History Association for the information and photos in this story.)
Although last year was a notable exception, recent winters in Michigan have been gradually warming as the climate continues to change. Some birds like the Bohemian waxwing and the evening grosbeak once seen periodically in our area in winter are now remaining further north.
However, new bird species normally found further south are being seen with more frequency. One of these is the Carolina wren. This jaunty fellow is not only visiting area feeders in winter, but is nesting locally in summer as well.
This past summer we had a potted fuchsia hanging under the eaves outside our living room. A pair of Carolina wrens found it a perfect place to build a nest, and were successful in raising four young ones. These birds were particularly fearless and continued to feed their young even when we were sitting on the deck a few feet away. The male would sit on the deck railing and sing his loud “teakettle, teakettle” song. This winter at least one Carolina wren is visiting our feeder, and we are looking forward to the possibility of another nesting next spring.
To hear the Carolina’s song, click here.
Another bird seen with increasing frequency in Michigan is the Northern mockingbird. Once a rare nester in the Southern two tears of counties, it is now found more often. We won’t see mockingbirds at our feeders, as they retreat further south for the winter, but they do seem to becoming more common as summer nesters. If there is a mockingbird in your neighborhood next summer it will not be hard to find as it will sing incessantly.
The mockingbird gets its name from the fact that it often includes phrases from other bird songs in their own.
Click here to listen to the mockingbird’s song.
