More Watkins Glen birds

There were multiple and prolonged sightings of the bobolink. Such a cool looking bird! Especially the males during breeding season, with their puffy white crowns. We've only seen these birds fleetingly as we've driven by country fields, usually perched on wire fences. Their population is in serious decline due to loss of habitat. I know the local Prov. park is asking visitors to report any sightings of them for their records. They were out in the fields at the Farm Sanctuary, singing their hearts out.

Male Bobolink:


Female Bobolink:



I remembered reading some poems in my first year university course by Emily Dickinson that referred to the Bobolink. I'm posting them here to share:

The Way to know the Bobolink by Emily Dickinson

The Way to know the Bobolink
From every other Bird
Precisely as the Joy of him --
Obliged to be inferred.

Of impudent Habiliment
Attired to defy,
Impertinence subordinate
At times to Majesty.

Of Sentiments seditious
Amenable to Law --
As Heresies of Transport
Or Puck's Apostacy.

Extrinsic to Attention
Too intimate with Joy --
He compliments existence
Until allured away

By Seasons or his Children --
Adult and urgent grown --
Or unforeseen aggrandizement
Or, happily, Renown --

By Contrast certifying
The Bird of Birds is gone --
How nullified the Meadow --
Her Sorcerer withdrawn!

The Bobolink is Gone- by Emily Dickinson

The Bobolink is gone-
The Rowdy of the Meadow-
And no one swaggers now but me-
The Presbyterian Birds
Can now resume the Meeting
He boldly interrupted that overflowing Day
When supplicating mercy
In a portentous way
He swung upon the Decalogue
And shouted let us pray-