Spring 79: Spawning Ground

Saturday, June 11, 2011
7:40am-8:10am, Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, OH

Woodland Cemetery is where I made my first field-recordings of birds one year ago. In fact, I initially started the A Bird a Day project then, but was a bit overwhelmed by other projects, and tabled it until October.

It's nice to come back and check out the old spawning grounds.

I'm perturbed to see my former entrance (hole in the fence) has been fixed, and that the official opening time is 8am. How will I get in for the sunrise?

Otherwise, it is a lovely reunion. The cemetery is hilly, full of trees and shrubs - a soothing place to wander and explore. I hear robins, mourning doves, a persistent wood-peewee.

I hear, then spot a whole crew of birds that are new to me ( Brown-Headed Cowbirds), though I've seen them in books. His call reminds me of the red-winged blackbird.

Their distinctive coloring - brown heads on sleek black bodies, makes their identity unquestionable. Who said you can't wear black with brown?