Our Environment: "Bird Bonanza at One Providence Park" by Scott Turner
Scott Turner, Environmental Columnist
Our Environment: "Bird Bonanza at One Providence Park" by Scott Turner
Davis Park is a multi-use rest and recreational greenspace. It contains a playground, two ballfields, a basketball court, various tall shade trees, and a community garden.
For me, the best part of Davis Park are its woods and thickets that rim the rear of the property. This greenery acts as an oasis, particularly for migrating songbirds.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTTake spring migration, an urgent time for birds to return to breeding grounds, stake out territories and attract mates. While some species migrate during the day, most songbirds fly by night.
Folks in Rhode Island who track migration say that birds flying overhead at night look for dark areas below, which are typically parks, within the lights of cities. Such black blobs suggest places for the birds to drop in and to find food to fuel their passage.
For the past two weeks, I’ve an enjoyed an abundance of morning bird song in Davis Park. I’ve listened to warblers, vireos, wrens, flycatchers, thrushes, orioles, sparrows and more.
At the end of May, these experiences peaked. On May 30, I heard a raspy “we-be” call coming from the thick undergrowth. This was the song of an Alder Flycatcher, which is an uncommon spring migrant in Rhode Island. Maybe 10 of these birds are heard or seen in the state each spring.
I recorded the tune, sharing it with bird experts, who confirmed my ID. So far this spring, about a half-dozen Mourning Warblers have been reported in RI. Some springs, none are found.
I took Karen to the park to search for the rare birds. We didn’t find either one, but we did hear and see some colorful species such as the orange-flashing Baltimore Oriole and the butter-colored, red-striped Yellow Warbler.
At the park, we also followed fly balls of young men practicing baseball, and watched a middle-aged man sink jump shots. Kids squealed from the playground, as shovels slid through compost in the community garden.
I believe that urban parks are vital to flora and fauna, including people. Parks provide wildlife with food and shelter, and space for plants to grow. For people, parks are communal spaces in fresh air. Often our parks offer idyllic features such as woods and fields, thickets, streams, ponds, rock outcrops and more.
Urban parks are places to unwind and reconnect with the natural world. In city parks, we come together, in unity, in community.
Davis Park is an oasis. If you haven’t visited it, then I suggest you act like a migrant songbird on a spring night, and drop in.
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