The hues, scents and sights of April are with us!

Rosy Red Buckeyes (Aesculus pavia) are budding, the sweet fragrance of Clove Currant (Ribes odoratum) wafts on the breeze, and fat little bumblebees are busy at Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica).

4-3-20 Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) 4-5-20 Clove currant (Ribes odoratum) 4-3-20 Bumblebee at Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

Warm days have brought birds in to freshen up and shake their tail feathers, like Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice and American Robins.

3-30-20 Carolina Chickadee

3-31-20 Tufted Titmouse
4-2-20 American Robin
 

4-2-20 American Robin

Even one of the Cooper's Hawks came in to the sump puddle to bathe, until it was rudely interrupted by harassing crows. 

4-1-20 Cooper's Hawk takes off from sump puddle

Two female Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have been seen on several days. The Brown Creeper may have moved on, more are being seen elsewhere, finally making it to friends' yards. 

3-31-20 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker female #1 3-31-20 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker female #2 3-31-20 Brown Creeper

American Goldfinches are nearly finished molting into their bright plumage, though some are shy about sitting still for a portrait.

4-3-20 American Goldfinch takeoff

The Eastern Phoebes are still busy at nest-building, constantly pumping their tails up and down, up and down when they stop to perch.

4-1-20 Eastern Phoebe, tail up 4-1-20 Eastern Phoebe, tail down

Carolina Wrens are still bouncing about. I saw one today fly to the nest on the left with a leaf in its bill, quickly tagged on the tail by the Phoebe! Nature is just full of interesting interactions, especially at this time of year.

4-4-20 Carolina Wren 4-3-20 Nests under gazebo

We took the Eastern Bluebird box down for a few days to deter the Eurasian Tree Sparrows. They seem to have claimed a box in a neighbor's yard. Our friend, Cori suggested using the filament line to continue deterring them until bluebirds or other native birds take the box. Today, another sparrow approached, seemed confused by it, fluttered in front and did not go in! So far, so good!

4-4-20 Eastern Bluebird nest box with filament line to deter sparrows

4-5-20 Eurasian Tree Sparrow flutters at nest box 4-5-20 Eurasian Tree Sparrow confused at nest box

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are getting closer, one has made it as far as Michigan! So, we have two feeders up and ready. Here's the map if you want to keep tabs on their progress:  

2020 Ruby-throated Hummingbird map

4-4-20 Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeder up

We've consolidated our feeding stations into one at this point, serving black oil sunflower, safflower, bark butter and peanuts. 

4-4-20 Feeding Station

A Hermit Thrush showed up yesterday, our newest bird for the year, species  #52. Today, I realized there were at least two here in the yard. The second one seems fine but is definitely different. It was easier to see why when it landed on the bluebird box!

4-4-20 FOY #52 Hermit Thrush

4-5-20 Hermit Thrush 4-5-20 Hermit Thrush- one legged 4-5-20 Hermit Thrush- one legged

"April is the cruelest month."

Nature is resilient, and adapts, even in the toughest of times. Perhaps we all could learn a bit from Nature.