This Week’s Bird Sightings

Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, April 23 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

The first Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds were reported from at least six locations this week. We’re going to assume at least some of them were on the Outer Cape.

Not all Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds have ruby throats. Adult males have an iridescent red throat that looks more like black in most light, according to the National Audubon Society’s online field guide. Females are green above and whitish below, with white tips on their outer feathers. There are many different kinds of hummingbirds, but east of the Great Plains, hummingbirds-wise, this is it, just one kind, the Ruby-Throat. (Photo by Bill Thompson/USFWS)

Sightings at Race Point in Provincetown included a Chimney Swift, 3 Pacific Loons, an American Oystercatcher, a Black Guillemot, 2 Common Murres, 18 Razorbills, 3 Iceland Gulls, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 2,650 Northern Gannets, and a Merlin. Elsewhere in town there were 3 Rusty Blackbirds and 4 Blue-Winged Teal.

Two Little Blue Herons were at Mill Pond in Truro. And someone saw a Worm-Eating Warbler in North Truro.

Birds at Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary included 6 Black Vultures, a Summer Tanager, a Hooded Warbler, up to 2 White-Eyed Vireos, a Yellow-Throated Vireo, and a Lincoln’s Sparrow. Sightings elsewhere in town included 5 Red Crossbills and an Orange-Crowned Warbler.

There was a Black Brant in Eastham.

If you have questions about these sightings or want to report a sighting, call the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at 508-349-2615 or send an email to [email protected].