Three Cheers! They have begun to arrive.
Look who is the most important one back from the lands of the radiant southern sun! None other than Cock-Robin.
The first of the season, he showed up on Thursday. First confirmed sighting all winter - Just to hear one "CHEEP squawk-squawk" was terribly exciting. He has not been seen since, but doubtless more robins are on the way.
There were plenty of other birds around as well when that morning I went outside in the fine weather, and they were all springing about.
A good part of the strip of woods across the street was clamoring with noise of bluebirds calling and chattering. Three came into our yard.
Two females were chasing a bright blue male all about and he inspected at least three houses with his favoured acquaintance. Observe the 'wing-waving'. It's a display the blues use when checking out nesting places and when saying 'hello, dearest' to their mates (bluebirds are very sophisticated - they never say 'Hey, Sweetie!' like the chickadees). Evidence of Spring.
These two don't want Other Bluebird to hang about too much and chase her off. But in the neighbors' yard were three or four more bluebirds. If we could only get two pairs in the yard, that would be dandy!
On Wednesday, Mother discovered a Killdeer was back. I saw three flying and crying in the sky.
Also the Grackles are in town once again, and the Blackbirds are coming in too.
Just one Red-tail out. Does this mean the other of the pair is busy with nest or eggs?
The geese are flying North
The other day, the Song Sparrow was foraging while uttering unfamiliar calls, 'chuckling', and singing snatches of his tune to himself. Funny. But these days he's singing from the treetops very loudly, as are many other birds. Oh, and there were two House Finches singing in two trees. The one with much duller red coloring was singing a far longer and more complicated song. If they are rivals, which will win- the brightest or the most musical?
Well- so the birds are back at last. And nesting season is just around the corner... Huzzah!
posted (obviously) by LGT