A day that includes "twitterpating" and "nest hair pulling" is a birding day to remember. Roxie, my dog, and I left the house at 7:15 a.m. to "find" some migrating warblers, and to hone my listening skills (such as they are) for Saturday’s census day.

We were in the woods and overgrown fields along Robinson Lane in Fishkill Plains, and quickly compiled a list of almost 30 birds. How exciting to see my first Oriole and Rose-breasted Grosbeak of the year. The warblers were scarce, but we had lots of Yellow-rumps, a Common Yellowthroat, and some Yellows and Prairies. On the way out of the woods, a Tufted Titmouse began singing. My friend and mentor of 18 years, Helen Andrews, had taught me long ago how to imitate a Titmouse song and wait for his response. Soon enough, the Titmouse was overhead, frantically looking for the "singer", all the while quivering and fluttering his little wings, his tuft sticking straight up in the air. "Twitterpating" they call it......always fun to observe. Little did I know I would have an even more exciting Titmouse encounter once we returned home!!

I worked in the garden for a while, then sat with a cool glass of water on my patio bench adjacent to a honeysuckle bush. Roxie was lying on the cool earth under the bush. As I sat there, a Titmouse flew into the bush, its mate following. Since they were only three or four feet away, I knew as soon as they spotted me sitting there, they would give an alarm chip and scurry out. I was mistaken. They not only lingered, but seemed very interested in me and the dog. Remembering the fact that Titmice line their nests with animal hair or fur, I froze while I waited for her to fly down to Roxie’s back. The next thing I knew, this little bird fluttered in my face, flew over my head and landed 6 inches behind me on the brick siding of the house. I could feel the wind from her wings. Four times she flew back and forth from the bush to the brick behind my head, her wings brushing my hair each time. The fifth time I felt her little feet on my head. She started gently pecking on the top of my head and then I felt some hairs being pulled. She remained for a few more seconds, then flew off, her mate joining her from the bush....and it was over! I was so astonished that I sat frozen, completely enthralled, not believing what had just occurred. I have no idea how many hairs she pulled from my head, but Elaine Andersen is calling me "baldy".

Do birds carry little parasites, including ticks, that would not think twice about changing hosts? Needless to say, a shower and shampoo were in order!

I’ve witnessed several Titmice nests during the years of monitoring my bluebird trail. The nest is a work of art.....mosses, leaves and hair woven into a soft, downy haven for the babies. What a blessing for me to realize that my hair will be in one of those nests. Ah, the stuff of life!

P.S. Barbara Mansell sent this in: Nick, Barbara Mansell's son, fell asleep on the back deck on Sunday afternoon, May 5 and woke to find a titmouse tugging at his hair for nest material. He thought it was great.

Wings Over Dutchess, May 2002

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