Column: Here are some bird sounds to listen for in July

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 5, 2025

To me, birds arrived in the spring and left in the fall. During the time in between, they were just here, hanging around, waiting for my casual identification. Then I started guiding. Everything is different when you absolutely have to find a bird. I came to dread July, a month of doldrums. In spring, it’s easy. Birds are singing. They’re establishing territories and seeking mates. They’re argumentative. By July, they’re mostly quiet. If they have kids, they avoid attention. If they don’t have kids, they just don’t care. The woods are full of birds whose only purpose in life is to ignore you. Belatedly, I’ve been dragged into a better understanding of how the woods change weekly. We’re in that period now when birds are singing less, but talking more. ~ Bob Duchesne