Happening at the Crossroads
April 23, 2007
by Coggin Heeringa
May Day, the first of May, is almost here. When I was a little girl, this was a marvelous holiday for children. We'd make little baskets, fill them with candy and flowers, and deliver these May baskets to friends, neighbors and shut-ins. But the phrase "May Day" has a more ominous connotation because it is internationally used as a distress call. References suggest that this phrase may be a corruption of the French “m'aidez” which means “help me.”
We hear many distress calls at Crossroads at Big Creek. Humans certainly can't begin to understand all avian communications, but we do recognize some of the most urgent messages. Alarm notes, for example, are the means by which birds warn each other of danger. And for birds, the nature preserve is very dangerous - filled with foxes, hawks and strange two-legged creatures attached to dogs.
When a bird perceives danger, it screams its alarm note. This call is an involuntary response to fear, similar to a human screaming in fright. It's unlikely the terror-filled bird intends to warn his companions, but other birds (and mammals) heed the call. Most nature enthusiasts heed alarm notes also, for often this call reveals the presence of a predator.
Alarm notes are frequent, but like human "May Days," a true distress call is given only when a bird finds itself in serious trouble. And a distress call has a remarkable effect on the rest of the bird community.
Upon hearing the distress call, birds gather like gawkers at the scene of an accident, presumably curious to see what the dilemma is. This behavior, as strange as it may seem to us, probably has survival value. Learning to recognize the enemy and knowing its location would certainly be beneficial. Certain birds may try to assist a bird in distress and "mob" or attack their common enemy.
Some bird watchers, knowing the birds will respond to a distress call, imitate the sound by sucking or kissing the back of their hand. This is called "squeaking" and I can't do it at all. But, I've seen birders attract bunches of birds this way.
It can be thrilling to get a good close look at wild birds, but I feel that squeaking (and quite a few other things) should be done in moderation. The birds which flock to distress calls or squeaks are obviously upset and agitated. Especially during the breeding season, ethical birders interfere with the birds' normal activities as little as possible. During May days, birds have enough distress from natural causes.
On May Day, you may want to hike the Crossroads Preserve in search of birds and May flowers (though Mayflowers usually don’t bloom here until late May or early June.) The hike starts at 4:00 at the Collins Learning Center. Loaner binoculars are available.
On Tuesday evening, the members of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society invite visitors to join them in an unusual program. Instead of presenting a lecture, Dr. Ray Stonecipher will lead a free make-and-take workshop on Sundials. Learn a little astronomy as you create your own timepiece. This program will be at the Stonecipher Astronomy Center so use Crossroads' Utah Street entrance. And speaking of astronomy - mark your calendar for May 5, 1:00-4:00 when the DPAS will hold Astronomy Day and dedicate the new building.
Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor-supported learning preserve dedicated to life-long learning in science, history and the environment. For a map and more information see www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org or call 920.746.5895.
Crossroads at Big Creek is donor supported learning preserve dedicated to experience-based learning in science, history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center is located on County TT (Michigan Street) and the astronomy campus can be reached by turning into Crossroads at the first stop sign after the highway on Utah Street. For more information, call 746-5895.
