Spring Has Sprung

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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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