Wellfleet Bay Natural History Notes

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

August is perhaps the most exciting time to feed and observe Hummingbirds as their southward migration is at its peak this month.  The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common hummingbird on Cape Cod and is seen in gardens and at nectar feeders.  Hummingbirds are attracted to bright red flowers like the perennial cardinal flower in the photo. 

This  young male has a glittering emerald green crown and upperparts, grayish white underparts, a red gorget feather and a lot of reddish wash on the flanks, as well as the typical long slightly downcurved bill.  These hummingbirds typically are about 3.5 to 4 inches in length with a 4.5 inch wingspan.  Hummingbirds use their long bill and tongue to probe blooming flowers for nectar and sweetened water from backyard feeders.  They also feed on small insects and spiders.  If you listen closely, you may hear its call which consists of a series of rapid squeaky chipping notes. 

The Ruby-throated is the only hummingbird to breed east of the Mississippi River.  It is usually found in open, mixed woodlands and backyard flower gardens from May until September.  These feather-weight avian creatures are known to fly as fast as 60 miles an hour with wing beats as fast as 80 beats per second.  This young male ruby-throated hummingbird was observed in a beautiful garden overlooking Falmouth Harbor.

Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole

Least Tern

On many protected barrier beaches you may find Least Terns feeding and raising their new chicks alongside Piping Plovers.  Their nests usually consist of a shallow scrape on a sandy beach. Least Terns are the smallest terns and have gray upperparts, white underparts, a black cap and nape, a white forehead, and an orange-yellow bill with a dark tip.  Stay clear of their nests as they are very protective and will take a sharp dive directly at any and all intruders while making lots of screeching noises.

According to the Mass. Natural Heritage Endangered Species program, the Least Tern breeds along the Atlantic coast and also in inland locations along major rivers. On Cape Cod, Least Terns arrive in early May to nest in coastal locations and typically depart in early September for their winter grounds in Central and South America. In Massachusetts, the Least Tern is considered a species of special concern along with many other bird species that face of a variety of threats and risks to their natural habitats.

In a recent Cape Cod Times article, Vern Laux notes that “terns have recently fledged young and are appearing in greater numbers than a week ago on Cape Cod beaches. The young terns are learning to fly and how to dive into the water and capture live fish. It takes years to learn how to "plunge-dive" and decades to perfect the technique. This image from Black Beach in Falmouth shows an adult Least Tern returning to the nest with a live fish.

Enjoy,

Craig Gibson
Woods Hole