Signs of Spring mean more than Daffodils!

3-12-22 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3-12-22 Cedar Waxwing

Visits by a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and flocks of Cedar Waxwings signal the change is coming. 

  3-19-22 Yellow-rumped Warbler pair

3-26-22 Yellow-rumped Warbler

3-6-22 Yellow-rumped Warbler
 

Yellow-rumped Warblers are seen, sometimes catching insects on warmer days.

3-15-22 Brown Creeper on Persimmon (Diospyros Virginian)

Brown Creepers are often foraging on the bark of trees, in this case, a persimmon (Diospyros virginiana).

3-25-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch

3-17-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch 3-17-22 Red-breasted Nuthatch in Elm

Red-breasted Nuthatches find plenty to eat, even checking the buds of American elm (Ulmus americana) for a treat.

3-25-22 Song Sparrow

The Song Sparrow has been singing for weeks. It popped up onto the woodland gate, more easily seen one day.

3-25-22 Carolina Chickadee

The Carolina Chickadee checked a leaf blown into the hydrangea for a tidbit.

3-15-22 Rusty Blackbird 3-15-22 Rusty Blackbirds 3-20-22 Rusty Blackbirds 3-26-22 Northern Flicker and 5 Rusty Blackbirds 3-26-22 15 Rusty Blackbirds 3-26-22 5 Rusty Blackbirds

Rusty Blackbirds come in some days in flocks of 80-100 or so birds. It's so hard to tell for sure! They are perfectly camouflaged in the shadows, overturning leaves for insect food or bathing in puddles or the basin. It's only when they fly up into the trees that their numbers seem to swell. Spring is a time of high contrast in light and in the weather!

3-26-22 Pileated Woodpecker

Yesterday, in the midst of all the blackbird activity, I turned to see the Pileated Woodpecker in its fine bright plumage. It worked on several trees and ate some suet before calling and flying off to the south.

3-21-22 Eastern Bluebird 3-21-22 Eastern Bluebird female and American Robin

This Eastern Bluebird pair have continued to spend time here every day, finding insects on warm days and taking mealworms to supplement their needs. They seemed determined to make our yard their home! So, we put up the nest box again on 3-18-22, even though it was a bit late. Yesterday, our effort was rewarded! 

3-26-22 Eastern Bluebird on sentry duty 3-26-22 Eastern Bluebird female decides to nest! 3-26-22 Eastern Bluebird pair 3-26-22 Eastern Bluebird pair 3-26-22 Eastern Bluebird 3-27-22 Eastern Bluebird female 3-27-22 Eastern Bluebird female

This is the first time we have ever had nesting Eastern Bluebirds. After such a tough year for this species, we have high hopes for their success! 

  3-27-22 Eastern Phoebe

This morning, we had two Eastern Phoebes, fluttering around each other and the former nesting area. We think it may be the same pair that raised five chicks a few years ago. Maybe they'll stick around, fingers crossed!

Spring is springing!