It's that time of year again. One of the signs of spring for me is when my father-in-law lets me know that "Hoocher's back." Brown Creepers are one of the classic April migrants, most of whom have either a trill for a song, or a high-pitched call note (or both). Hoocher has the high-pitched call note. In case you're worried about your hearing, there's no need to track down your local Ears-Nose-Throat specialist (he or she is likely doing very well for themselves without your additional contributions), just head out into the woods and see if you can hear Brown Creeper or Golden-crowned Kinglet. If you can, you've passed Part I of the Hoocher Hearing Exam. Part II, which is optional for mortal birders, is to try to tell the two apart. I was happy just to get some workable images of the creeper, which is nigh-unto impossible to digi-scope.
Hermit thrushes were also back in decent numbers at Brown Sanctuary (they're an exception with a clear unique song and a low-pitched
chup chip note).
At Three Oaks I heard a sound that made me stop scanning the ponds and look over at the crow calling "cah, cah" from atop one of the bluebird boxes. No two-parted calls, but the soft "a" sound gave it away as a Fish Crow, perhaps a regular April fixture for the next few years to come, depending on how strong a toehold is managed by the local birds.
For further reading on Fish Crow and American Crow identification based on primary shape and formula, here's a
helpful article.
Hermit thrushes were also back in decent numbers at Brown Sanctuary (they're an exception with a clear unique song and a low-pitched chup chip note).
For further reading on Fish Crow and American Crow identification based on primary shape and formula, here's a helpful article.
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