Joann Merritt's Essays

Migration In The Pits
June, 1993

In 1993 I answered Erma Bombeck’s query “If Life is a Bowl of Cherries What am I Doing in the Pits?” by replying that “Life in The Pits is a Bowl of Cherries.” This year that bowl of cherries was topped with cream, the cream of the migration crop. For several weeks birds and birders alike have enjoyed spring migration in The Pits.

We were pleased when the Warbling Vireos returned and constructed their nest near last year’s site. The rapidly built nest shone white with spider webs and on the exterior of the nest are several spider egg sacs. I wonder if the vireos collected the sacs for food in anticipation of the spiders hatching or if the sacs were merely attached to the webs and accidently gathered. Contrary to articles I have read I have not heard a single warble from the vireos as they incubate the eggs. Maybe they are trying to hide from the dreaded parasitic Brown-headed Cowbirds. Solitary and Bell’s Vireos were also seen in The Pits.

A Bunting we will go! Buntings favor small seeds in their diet and grass seeds were abundant in The Pits this spring. Burr identified an early maturing spring grass as Timothy. It grows where water stood last year and has seed-laden heads in April and May that are up to 5” in length. Male, female and first spring male Indigo Buntings, Lazuli Buntings and Painted Buntings have patronized this place. It’s one of those “all you can eat” deals. Mixed in with the buntings was a sizable flock of Chipping Sparrows and a pair of House Wrens playing Hide-and-Seek.

Nine species of warblers visited The Pits, the American Redstart and Northern Parula being the crème de la crème. Gene observed a Broad-winged Hawk flying overhead. A Poorwill called wurt-wurt as he and I surprised each other. Eastern Phoebe, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood Pewee and assorted empids exhibited their fly catching skills.

The Rose-breasted and Black-headed Grosbeaks played hard to get as did the pair of Western Tanagers, but our summer resident Blue Grosbeak was not so coy. East is east and west is west and never the twain shall meet, but this spring birds from both parts of the country did meet in The Pits. (Can you have a Summit Meeting in The Pits?)

I wrote concerning Miss Pits in 1988: “I really think she’s beautiful and what a personality!”. I haven’t changed my mind yet!