Yesterday was
the first day of spring, and the weather here was certainly spring-like. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen any spring migrants yet, although Dee noticed a
Ruby-throated Hummingbird visiting our flowers a couple of days ago.
One of Last Year's Ruby-throated
No doubt
I’ll get to see some migrants soon, perhaps as earlier as this weekend if we
get out to do some birding.
While I
haven’t seen any spring migrants, I have seen lots of signs of the season. More
and more birds are appearing in pairs – like the American Robins who have moved
into our yards.
The other day
I saw two White-winged Doves mating in the tree behind our house. As if we
don’t already have enough White-winged Doves! Male Great-tailed Grackles are strutting their stuff, too.
At home and
at work male Northern Mockingbirds have really started singing. Some of them
are doing their mating displays, too. They perch and sing on a tree, post or
chimney. Then they leap 6 or 7 feet up in the air and flutter back down onto
their perch.
Of course,
the arrival of spring means that our winter residents are disappearing. Our
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Goldfinches and Pine Warblers have all already left
our yards. However, I’m glad to report that we still have Chipping Sparrows (below), Orange-crowned
Warblers (below) and Yellow-rumped Warblers. I’ll be really sad when they finally
leave.
Chipping Sparrow
Orange-crowned Warbler
Luckily, too,
the Tufted Titmice that moved in months ago show no sign of moving out. So
perhaps they are now going to be permanent residents in our yards. I certainly
hope so, because they are such beautiful birds and always worth watching.
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