Signs of Spring

 09 March, 2025

     Winter is slowly relaxing its grip and the mountains of snow are receding. All around there are indications that spring is just around the corner; it is even in the air. Daytime temperatures are consistently above freezing, with cold nights - perfect for tapping maple trees for sweet sap to be boiled down to maple syrup. Who does not rejoice at the prospect of fresh syrup on a hot pancake? 

     A Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) was doubtless as happy as we were to welcome mild weather, with the prospect of easier access to prey.

     There were huge flocks of American Crows (Corvus brachyrynchos) in the fields, lured there no doubt by an exploding population of invertebrates. 

     Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were drawn by the same bounty.

     Starling is a much maligned bird, but on close examination is a very handsome species.

     We were happy to see our first Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) of the spring.

     A female Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) looked very becoming, I thought.

     I am quite sure this male thought so too!

     Many were gleaning scraps of food uncovered by melting snow.

"Behold the duck.

It does not cluck.

A cluck it lacks.

It quacks.

It is especially fond

Of a puddle or a pond.

When it dines or sups

It's bottoms up"

Ogden Nash

     You can see open water at the edge of the ice, running quite rapidly in places thereby stimulating a further retreat of the ice.

     There was a large flock of American Robins (Turdus migratorius) feeding on the berries of Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).

     Almost certainly these birds overwintered with us, as more and more of them do each year. A robin can no longer be counted on to be a bird returning from a winter spent farther south.

     A solitary Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) joined the buckthorn repast.

     It is such a noble bird and one never ceases to ooze wonder and appreciation on seeing one.

     A Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) was without question a spring arrival and our first sighting of the year.

     Indomitable Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) remain with us year round, facing all the challenges winter poses.

     Here is more evidence of open water.

     Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) were seldom out of earshot and often joined us at close range, as though enjoying our company.

     Robins seemed to be drawn in to drink far more than other species.

     A White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) was attracted to a tree stump with sunflower seeds left by a human friend.

     Spring was indeed in the air.

     But winter has not quite said "Goodbye" just yet!

STAND UP FOR CANADA