One of our most interesting and unusual winter residents is infrequently seen by the average observer of the natural world, doubtless because the tiny bird sports a perfect camouflage for his favorite habitat. Methodically ascending the trunks of trees and probing the bark with his thin decurved bill, the brown creeper is virtually invisible in his demure dress of brown and white. The feathered apparel blends in perfectly with the bark of the trees.

Typically the creeper spirally ascends the trunk of a tree. Upon reaching the top, he often flies to the bottom of a nearby tree. There he will begin again his careful climb.

I have been most fortunate to have seen this rather elusive bird at Shirley on three occasions so far this winter, twice in December and once in January. All sightings took place not far from the main house. Two of the sightings were on trees fairly close to the James River.

Other winter visitors to Shirley include the two eastern species of kinglets.  Invariably it seems the kinglets I spy are the ruby-crowned. In fact on most of my winter rambles about eastern Virginia it is the little king with the ruby crown which comes out to greet me. Thus I was very pleased to observe the handsome golden-crowned kinglet on a riverside tree at Shirley in early December.

March/April 2006

When I leave the bluff overlooking the river and return to the formal gardens, I continue to marvel at the regal beauty of the white-crowned sparrow. Usually I now see both white-throated and white-crowned sparrows. The white-throated sparrow is far more common here. How marvelous to watch both of these handsome sparrows in the same garden

One of our most elegant and dapper birds is the beautiful cedar waxwing, now passing through this part of Virginia. Usually they travel in large flocks; this lovely day in early March scores are visiting here at Shirley plantation. They are seeking berries, and doubtless the holly trees hereabouts will soon be stripped of their offerings. The handsome cedar waxwing is quite distinctive with his crest, black mask, yellow belly, and yellow band across the tip of his tail. The close observer will notice red “wax” tips on the inner wing feathers.

Another bird which enjoys holly berries is the American robin. One will often see them in the same trees with the waxwings. Many robins stay with us in Virginia during the winter months; on warm winter days here one will see them foraging on lawns and occasionally singing their spring song.

A bird equally as well known as the robin has been seen on the fields here in extremely large flocks recently; the Canada goose. Perhaps we’ve been watching mostly migrants; perhaps not. In recent decades we have had a large population in Virginia of Canada geese which are permanent residents.

After viewing the huge Canadas, one may encounter in the Shirley gardens the diminutive kinglets. Both the golden-crowned and ruby-crowned kinglets have been seen here this winter. Inquisitive little creatures, they will often fly towards the observer to get a closer look at the admiring bird watcher who steps into their leafy domain. Enjoy these charming mites while you can; in the spring they will leave us for breeding grounds farther north.

May/June 2006

I have been enchanted by the handsome orchard orioles which have been very loud and very active recently in the gardens and trees near the Great House at Shirley. The rich, musical song is exuberant. The rather open setting which Shirley offers with trees scattered here and there suits this species perfectly. The male is striking:  his head, back, wings, and tail are black while his underparts and rump are deep chestnut. How different is the female:  she wears olive-green above and yellow below. I have a hunch these birds will remain with us and nest here at Shirley.

Our species which is getting ready to move north for breeding is the yellow-rumped warbler. One the last two days of April I observed many of these brightly-colored little birds singing their hearts out here as they prepare for migration. This bird is the common wintering warbler in Virginia, often encountered in abundance during the cold months. Although his winter clothes are somewhat drab, his bright yellow rump is a distinctive field mark in all plumages.

Speaking of warblers now is the time to check your field guides and study this intriguing group of birds. May is the month when many species will be passing through in their colorful breeding outfits; some will stay with us, but others will grant us only a few days to see them as they pause for refreshment on their journey to their northern breeding grounds. Once you have studied the bird and read the information about it, always check out the range maps to discover the likelihood of your seeing it this spring.

Even though warm days are here, some wintering species haven’t’ finished packing. As of the last day of April, I still was enjoying the white-crowned sparrows on the old plantation. That’s the marvel of this time of year:  one sees birds both coming and going!

July/August 2006

People tend to ask me about the various birds with blue plumage which they observe at Shirley during the summer months. A year-round friend with which most of us are familiar is the boisterous blue jay, or “corn thief” as some farmers are wont to call him. Big, crested, and handsome, he is a common bird here and at our feeders. His raucous cry indeed is interpreted by some as “Thief, thief, thief!” Others suggest he is merely calling, “Jay, jay, jay!”

Another year-round resident often seen perched on posts or wires here at Shirley is the beautiful Eastern bluebird. A cousin of the robin, the bluebird was seldom seen not long ago, but a vigorous conservation effort, including the placing of bluebird houses in suitable locations, has caused the population to rebound. These birds enjoy taking mealworms from your feeders. The bluebird is recognized by his brilliant blue back, reddish breast, and white belly.

A delightful summer resident clad entirely in blue is the dazzling but diminutive indigo bunting. Like the bluebird, he is fond of perching on wires. The male also likes to ascend to an exposed branch near the top of a tree and regale the birdwatcher with his joyous warble.Another place to find him may be a low perch on a stalk of wheat or by the side of a country road, where he enjoys foraging on the ground.

Noticeably larger than the indigo bunting and a much darker shade of blue is another summer resident, the blue grosbeak. He often delights the birder by perching on a fence post in clear view. In a certain light, he may appear all black. A good close look, however, willreveal his deep blue plumage, a thick blue beak, and russet wingbars. Frequently this bird will be noticed flying low by the edge of a country road. He is fond of fields and pastures.

September/October 2006

August is a quiet month in the natural world. The breeding season is essentially over, although one still sees parent birds feeding their “adolescent’ youngsters. The joyful singing of the spring has all but ceased; occasionally an indigo bunting or a red-eyed vireo may be heard. Swallows are beginning to flock up, preparing for their long journey southward.

On a recent ramble down a country trail here at Shirley, I was delighted to observe two of our summer nesters, the blue grosbeak and the indigo bunting. These colorful birds will soon be leaving us for warmer climes.

 On the same walk, imagine my pleasure when I flushed a male bobwhite which had been whistling from time to time during my stroll. Bobwhites have been declining throughout much of their range as suitable habitat has disappeared. The type of farmland found at Shirley, however, is most salubrious for the charming bobwhite. No doubt hereabouts for generations many a country boy has derived great satisfaction from “calling in” a bird by whistling the telltale sound.

Closer to the big house and the dependencies, one still sees the chimney swifts flying overhead. In his guides, Peterson has appropriately called the swift “a cigar with wings.” Ere long these little fellows will be heading south down to Peru.

Thomas B. McCary