This winter was a harsh one. Our days were extremely cold and the snow seemed never-ending. It made me more anxious for spring than ever before.
The snow is finally all melted, birds are returning and the migrants are slowly coming through. Birds are pairing up and warm days are here!
Mourning Doves pair up early
While it is getting warm out, we are also having a ton of very windy days. It doesn’t stop the birds from coming, but it’s enough to annoy both of us!
Downy Woodpecker on a windy day
One of my favorite signs of spring are molting Goldfinches. They go from their more-drab winter coat to the most brilliant yellow.
The Goldfinches are molting!
I have a few nesting boxes up – one for Chickadees or Wrens, a ledge for Robins, Doves or Flycatchers, and a Brown Creeper box. So far, I have tenants in at least one of them.
Black-capped Chickadees took over this nesting box
I also found the nests of two other birds – Blue Jays are building one behind my neighbors house.
Blue Jays building a nest
I also spotted Nuthatches going in and our of a hole on my neighbors house. As much as I was excited to see this, I think I should tell them now so that they do not unknowingly patch up the hole while there are eggs or babies inside. Oddly enough, I just purchased a Nuthatch nesting box, so if my neighbors choose to evict their tenants, maybe I can set up my box nearby. Speaking of Nuthatches – I’ve seen them exchange gifts to each other a couple of times right outside my window.
White-breasted Nuthatch before stashing the seed
One bird who is nesting in the area that I have yet to find nests for are the Red-shouldered Hawks. I hear this bird more than I see it (I also hear the Jays mimicking them) and hope to find a nest one day.
Red-shouldered Hawk being mobbed by Blue Jays
I had my first visit from a pair of Cardinals. I’ve been hearing at least two males singing, but this is the first time I’ve seen them. Never again will I take such a beautiful bird for granted as I did in New York. I hope they decide to stick around my yard!
This Cardinal was a long-awaited yard bird
As for birds returning for the summer, I had a quick visit from my first non-Junco yard sparrow, a pair of Flickers are being very vocal behind my house and the Phoebes can be heard singing around the woods.
A brief visit from a Chipping Sparrow
Along with geese, blackbirds and gulls migrating overhead, I got my first feeder migrants of the season.
A male Purple Finch – one of many migrants passing through
A female Purple Finches behind the brightly-colored male
And that’s not all… the woods are becoming more active! So far, I’ve seen Pine Warblers and both Golden- and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, including some singing males. It was truly the first time that I felt like Spring is here.
Too bad this Pine Warbler would not come closer
The only decent photo I could get of this Ruby-crowned Kinglet
I cannot wait to see who else will pass by! Spring is HERE!
Getting close to a Tufted Titmouse