Earliest Ever Red-wing Blackbirds

Most years, I'm on the lookout for red-winged blackbirds--scanning the roadsides where the habitat is right.  This year, I hadn't even begun that spring tradition.  While observing and counting birds in our backyard for the Great Backyard Bird Count, I was surprised to see not only one, but soon two male redwings show up the fourth and final day of the count! :)

 I have never seen them this early.  I even searched back into the archives of this blog--the closest thing that I have to a gardening journal...although they seem to arrive more often than not around mid-March, I have seen them later...and as early as the 4th of March one year...but February is new to me.  Even after reading posts on Facebook of a friend who had already seen them, I was expecting a to have to wait a bit for them to get from South-Western PA to North Eastern PA.  Let's hope that they are bringing an early spring with them.

Spring is in the Air

Although, they are not the best shots in the world, I finally got some photos of a red-wing blackbird displaying his epaulets as he calls out feeling those feelings spring tends to bring. :)

Over the past few days, I've enjoyed the gurgling calls and trills of the redwinged blackbirds out in my yard.  They are still hanging out in loose flocks...and they add an air of excitement to the yard.

Harbingers of Spring

For a couple of weeks, I have been keeping my eye out for the return of the red-wing blackbirds.  Early, I know, but, with much warmer than usual temperatures in February, I was really starting to think spring.  As is my habit, on my drive into work, I began to scan the roadsides where I've seen red-wing blackbirds staking their claim in the past few years.  Normally, I don't start looking in mid-February though.  For the past two weeks, I'd yet to see one, then, this morning before leaving for work, I looked out the window into the back yard, and there were about half a dozen male red-wings feeding on the black oil sunflower seeds I put out!  It made my day.

I had forgotten that we had a little snow overnight.  Just a coating...but still...

In my mind, spring is really here--I was taught that the males come first to stake out their territory, then in two weeks the females arrive...along with spring!

My mood was only slightly dampened by seeing a European starling along with them.  Even that couldn't dampen my spirits.

Signs of Spring

After getting home, despite the cooler weather the bright sunshine beckoned me outside.  Here are some of the sights from this afternoon.  There was even a little snow remaining in the shade.

Calling Dibs

While chatting with Jeff, something caught my eye out the kitchen window and over halfway across the field--a dark spot on the bluebird house.  After grabbing the binoculars, I confirmed what I suspected and hoped.  The bluebirds are back.  At least the male is, and he is claiming his favorite nestbox in the yard.  That same box has been used by a bluebird pair each year since I put it up...I assume they are the same pair, but I have no way of knowing.

It is that time of year again.  I'll have to keep an eye out on the box and try to have the camera ready.

Signs of Spring

Maybe not what you think...

Red glow on the maples across the way.

Elm buds swelling...I first noticed them a week or so ago.

April Flowers and Other Signs of Spring