Sunday Snapshot: A few egrets…

A few egrets…

 

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Red-winged Blackbirds Return 2018

As I walked out this morning, I thought I heard an oak-a-leeee! I stopped and listened, but heard nothing more. Could my imagination be playing tricks on me? But no, I spotted several red-wings, foraging along the riverbank! After a long string of March return dates, last year the red-wings returned in the midst of a February mild spell. We are again experiencing a February thaw, with the temperature today at 10 degrees celsius. Here is the record of past return dates:

2018: February 21st
2017: February 23rd
2016: March 6th
2015: March 21st
2014: March 15th
2013: March 10th
2012: March 3rd
2011: March 10th
2010: March 10th
2009: March 7th

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A Wren Story

I have a few birdhouses placed around the garden to encourage would-be parents to raise their family in my yard. House wrens are the most common residents, although chickadees also use the boxes periodically. I love the little wrens. They are very vociferous, with a busy song that belies their small size. I usually look for sturdy nest boxes, with good ventilation and easy access for cleaning, but sometimes a more whimsical bird house tempts me. I bought this feline-faced box at a local craft store a couple of years ago.

It was spurned by all comers last year, and I was pleased when a pair of wrens took up residence this spring. The insistent peeping now rising from the house is evidence of a successful brooding season and the two parents are busy keeping their nestlings fed. Here’s one parent, giving me the evil eye, before dropping off her/his offering to the chicks.

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Red-wings Return, 2017.

We are in the midst of an unseasonable warm spell. There have been robins in the area, probably over-winterers, and flocks of Canada geese have been flying over, headed north. Today, as I sat by the window reading a book, I glanced out and there was a treetop full of red-winged blackbirds! So that’s it, it is officially spring. Here are arrival dates for Red-wings at Willow House over the past few years.

2016: March 6th
2015: March 21st
2014: March 15th
2013: March 10th
2012: March 3rd
2011: March 10th
2010: March 10th
2009: March 7th

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Sunday Snapshot: Goose Walk

Goose Walk

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Sunday Snapshot: Hollyhock Hummer

Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Hollyhock flower

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Sunday Snapshot: Treetop Heron

Great Blue Heron

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Sunday Snapshot: Riverbird

The first Great Blue Heron to return to our stretch of river this spring arrived yesterday. Happy hunting!

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Sunday Snapshot: Wings

Canada geese and Snow geese

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Outside My Door

Just days after I spotted the first returning red-wing blackbirds, they have been joined by a host of others. The chattering of a large flock of birds greets our ears any time we open the front door, as the birds give voice to a new spring season.

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