Author Archives: Chris Bosak

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About Chris Bosak

Bird columnist and nature photographer based in New England.

For the Birds: Sandhill crane not on my Bingo card

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Sandhill crane, Presque Isle, Erie, Pa., May 2025.

What is rare and causes excitement in one area is often commonplace and taken for granted in other areas.

For instance, a roseate spoonbill caused quite a stir in southern New England a few years ago. People came from all over the region to see it. If you visit the right places in Florida, however, roseate spoonbills, while I’m sure still appreciated, are no big deal to the locals.

Conversely, there are birds common to New England that sometimes stray into other regions where they are not common and are a thrill for the people in that region.

Last week, while visiting my brother in Erie, Pennsylvania, I had one of those out-of-place bird experiences. We were walking along a trail looking for warblers and other migrating songbirds when I heard in the distance a very loud song from a bird that I did not recognize. Even though I didn’t know what the song was right away, I knew it was something special as I was certain I had never heard it before. The call was extremely distinctive, loud and carried a long way. 

My brother had his Merlin app activated and sandhill crane came up. I had no idea that there were sandhill cranes at Presque Isle State Park as we have visited there frequently and had never seen, heard or even heard mention of the large birds being there before.

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Oriole builds nest; construction goes quickly

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Photo by Chris Bosak A Baltimore oriole builds a nest at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa., May 2025.

Baltimore orioles have one of the most unique nests of all the songbirds in New England.

According to allaboutbirds.org, “Baltimore Orioles build remarkable, sock-like hanging nests, woven together from slender fibers. The female weaves the nest, usually 3 to 4 inches deep, with a small opening, 2 to 3 inches wide, on top and a bulging bottom chamber, 3 to 4 inches across, where her eggs will rest. She anchors her nest high in a tree, first hanging long fibers over a small branch, then poking and darting her bill in and out to tangle the hank. While no knots are deliberately tied, soon the random poking has made knots and tangles, and the female brings more fibers to extend, close, and finally line the nest. Construction materials can include grass, strips of grapevine bark, wool, and horsehair, as well as artificial fibers such as cellophane, twine, or fishing line. Females often recycle fibers from an old nest to build a new one. Males occasionally bring nesting material, but don’t help with the weaving. Building the nest takes about a week, but windy or rainy weather may push this as long as 15 days. The nest is built in three stages: first, the female weaves an outer bowl of flexible fibers to provide support. Next, springy fibers are woven into an inner bowl, which maintains the bag-like shape of the nest. Finally, she adds a soft lining of downy fibers and feathers to cushion the eggs and young.”

During my recent trip to Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pa., I came across an oriole pair building a nest. We saw tons of orioles overall, but this was the only nest I found under construction. I was amazed at how much progress the orioles made in just one day. The first photo below was taken on a Sunday and next two photos (and the one above) were taken on a Monday. Nature is amazing.

Click here to see photos of sandhill cranes at Presque Isle.

Photo by Chris Bosak A Baltimore oriole builds a nest at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa., May 2025.
Photo by Chris Bosak A Baltimore oriole builds a nest at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa., May 2025.
Photo by Chris Bosak A Baltimore oriole builds a nest at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa., May 2025.

For the Birds: Warbling vireos everywhere

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Photo by Chris Bosak A warbling vireo sings from a branch in New England, spring 2025.

It’s funny how you can still discover new things after so many years.

I’m sure that applies to most hobbies, but it certainly applies to birdwatching. I have only recently “discovered” the warbling vireo. The small, loquacious bird, of course, has been around for far longer than I have been birdwatching, but I am only recently taking notice of it.

Part of the reason I may not have paid it much mind previously is that it is a small, fairly nondescript bird that typically hangs out in the middle to upper branches among the leaves. It is not like some birds that take an obvious perch somewhat low in the trees or brush and are easily found on a birdwalk.

Over the last couple of years, however, I have come to know warbling vireos not only because the males sing constantly, but I am finding them almost everywhere I go in the spring.

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Sandhill cranes at Presque Isle. Who knew?

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Sandhill crane, Presque Isle, Erie, Pa., May 2025.

I recently visited my old hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, and took several trips to Presque Isle State Park with my brother Paul. Presque Isle is one of the country’s birding hotspots due to its location on Lake Erie. We have been birding there for many years, but this year we were surprised to see sandhill cranes there. I believe it is the first year sandhill cranes have stayed for an extended period of time at the park. A ranger expressed hope that the birds will breed there. More on the cranes coming to birdsofnewengland.com in a future column. In the meantime, here are several photos of the beauty.

Sandhill crane, Presque Isle, Erie, Pa., May 2025.
Sandhill crane, Presque Isle, Erie, Pa., May 2025.
Sandhill crane, Presque Isle, Erie, Pa., May 2025.

For the Birds: The other bird families that highlight spring in New England

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Photo by Chris Bosak – A veery stakes out territory in New England, spring 2025.

Warblers get all the press, but they are hardly the only bird family that passes through in great numbers in the spring. 

I’m guilty myself of fixating on warblers, both in my birdwatching and writing. It’s hard not to as they are a fascinating family of birds and a joy to see in the spring. They come in a wide variety of colors, which is a welcome sight after a long, gray New England winter. 

But enough about warblers, at least for now. Let’s focus on some of the other families that brighten our spring.

The other day, during a morning walk, I saw a great-crested flycatcher, wood thrush, red-eyed vireo and field sparrow. They are all members of families that have several species that either migrate through or nest in New England. 

We don’t often think of sparrows as migrants as several types remain here all winter. I also think house sparrows are so ubiquitous that they are the only birds some people think about when they hear the word sparrow. But over the past few days, I’ve seen chipping sparrows, swamp sparrows and field sparrows. Don’t forget that eastern towhees are sparrows too. I’m growing more and more fond of the sparrow family as time goes on – house sparrows excluded. 

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Singing in the spring: Warbling vireo

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Photo by Chris Bosak A warbling vireo sings from a branch in New England, spring 2025.

It’s not surprising to get a photo of a warbling vireo, as these birds sing constantly. A bird that is true to its name.

Singing in the Spring: Blue-winged warbler

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Photo by Chris Bosak A blue-winged warbler sings in New England, spring 2025.

Here is the latest photo in the Singing in the Spring series: the blue-winged warbler. One of my favorite warblers, blue-winged warblers arrived back in New England over the last two weeks. They nest in New England and have a song that sounds more insect-like than bird-like.

A few bonus rose-breasted grosbeak photos

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Photo by Chris Bosak A rose-breasted grosbeak perches in a dogwood tree, New England, spring 2025.

Yesterday, I used a photo of a rose-breasted grosbeak for my Singing in the Spring series. Today, I’m including a few bonus shots of a male rose-breasted grosbeak. You gotta love spring migration.

Photo by Chris Bosak Rose-breasted grosbeak, New England, spring 2025.
Photo by Chris Bosak A rose-breasted grosbeak perches in a dogwood tree, New England, spring 2025.

Singing in the spring: Rose-breasted grosbeak

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Photo by Chris Bosak – Rose-breasted grosbeak sings in New England, spring 2025.

What can you say about rose-breasted grosbeaks? They’re awesome in every way.

Singing in the spring: Black-and-white warbler

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Photo by Chris Bosak – A black-and-white warbler sings in New England, spring 2025.

Black-and-white warblers sound like squeaky wheels when they sing. Their song can be ubiquitous in the New England woods depending on the time of year.