Prelude to Spring

The highlight in our yard and neighborhood this month has been the beginning of birdsong. On February 8, Cardinals, Chickadees, Titmice, Carolina Wrens, House Finches, Bluebirds and White-throated Sparrows all were singing, and one Song Sparrow tried out a rusty version of his song. On February 9, I heard the first Pine Warbler sing, and since then their soft trill has been heard almost every day. Phoebes began to sing February 13, and the first Brown Thrasher on February 20.

We’ve continued to have many active White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Yellow-rumped Warblers around our front yard, along with Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, a pair of Downy Woodpeckers, and one lone Robin. Occasional visitors included Northern Flicker, Brown-headed Nuthatches, and Hairy Woodpecker.

A flock of Rusty Blackbirds has continued to visit the grassy yards of the neighborhood; and I’ve seen a Cooper’s Hawk three times; a Belted Kingfisher three times; and heard the calls of a pair of Barred Owls once. Toward the end of the month, we began to see a small flock of Cedar Waxwings.

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