Summer Fledglings
We usually consider springtime to be the time of birth in nature. Themes of spring flowers, baby birds and new growth abound in the popular imagination and media representations of the season. On several recent birding outings I have been noticing the great abundance of young fledglings in the woods in late July and August. Large numbers of young Finches, Violet Green and Tree Swallows, Oregon Juncos, Western Scrub Jays and Towhees are everywhere.
Often young birds do not have the developed colors of the adults and blend into the surroundings. Identification of the young is often trickier than adult birds. The illustrations in many field guides are of adult males and under represent the young and females. I know publishers do not want birding field guides to become to bulky as well as to expensive but I wish there could be more illustrations to help birders with identifying young birds. Identifying and watching young birds can give you insights into the world of nature that are very special.
