Hear My Song, Hermit Thrush
Explore the World & History of the Hermit Thrush
Poem
You may not see me but you hear me.
I am the fluttering flute echoing in the trees I’m tucked away singing my song for you. I’m perched on a branch or hiding in a shrub,
snuggled up low in my nest, some place you can’t see.
My speckles make me hard to spot, I am but a rustle in the branches, a little brown dot.
When ice paints the land with dirt and frost, I know soon I will have to get lost.
I am quick and quiet as I fly, waiting to sing when I hide.
As nightfalls behind me, so will the thrill of this season’s chill.
I see a glow and glare as I flee, a mirror twin to the trees and me.
Your window lies within my path, from here comes the tragic aftermath.
I know no better and flutter forward till there is nothing but a crash.
There never was another me, there never was another tree.
I cannot see you, but you may see me forever still as I lay on your window sill.
Image Provided by: Flickr
Image Provided by: Oneida Nation
Outreach Materials
The following flyer may have directed you to our site, to learn more about the Hermit Thrush and the impacts they face from window collisions keep reading and check out our other tabs.
Mixed Media Art
The art piece represents the tragedy that many Hermits Thrush's face, as the reflectiveness of windows often confuses the species into colliding full speed with them. The small bird is often unable to recover from these collisions, resulting in their death.
Understanding Window Collision
Window collisions are one of the most prominent causes of human caused bird mortality. Collisions occur due to the reflectivity surfaces of windows, causing birds to collide with the hard surfaces. Often times, the reflectivity causes birds to be unable to distinguish between glass and open environment. For every bird that falls victim to this threat, up to three more will face the same faith but go un-noticed.
Impacts of Window Collision
Nocturnal Migration
Hermit Thrush's follow nocturnal migration. Nocturnal migration patterns can cause the Hermit Thrush species to be unable to see windows or other reflective materials at night, and as such fall victim to colliding with glass, towers and wind turbines.
Image Provided by: All About Birds, Charles Bradely
Climate Change
Climate change is anticipated to shrink the species range in the summer yet expanding the range in the winter. Overall, creating a population shift northward and into regions who are unfamiliar with the species.
Image Provided by: Wix Free Images
Artificial Lights
Artificial light, such as lights from inside homes, cell towers, or streetlights, at night increases the risk of collisions for migrating birds. The Hermit Thrush is one of these birds, who travel in the dark and are accustomed to using the stars as light sources. Increased use of artificial light creates confusion and disorients the Hermit Thrush.
Image Provided by: Wix Free Images
Read Our Blog Style Narrative
Point of View of Hermit Thrush
To understand the life of Hermit Thrush's please click the button below, or refer to our Narrative Piece tab, to
The blog style narrative provides a point of view from the life of one Hermit Thrush who meets their untimely demise through window collision, and takes audiences through the beginnings of life, playfulness, worry and lastly sorrow.