We are presently experiencing a brief warmup with highs around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Along with that we have been promised rain, but that remains to be seen as we always seem to be on the outer edge of the forecasted systems and we remain quite dry. Monday the temperatures will drop again for a few days. The photos in this post are from the past week and a half.
Two days before Official Spring on the 20th, birds were getting ready. I saw a Cooper’s Hawk.
I found a Red-bellied Woodpecker and a Downy Woodpecker in the same spot.
Poor light didn’t do much for these photos but it was good to see a couple Fox Sparrows.
I found one American Goldfinch.
And it was a definite sign of spring when a Great Blue Heron flew by.
The Cooper’s Hawk returned.
And then I saw a Red-shouldered Hawk after that.
Then, on the first day of Spring, snow was the main attraction.
I found a White-breasted Nuthatch.
American Robins have been consistent.
And I exchanged looks with a White-tailed Deer.
I barely managed to capture a Golden-crowned Kinglet.
Five days later, the snow was long gone, although we were still under cloud cover. I noticed Cooper’s Hawk action early. After watching for a while, there were two Cooper’s Hawks, and they seemed to be checking out a nest. I have not seen them return to it since, but I am keeping an eye on it.
More views of a Cooper’s Hawk.
There were also three American Crows harassing a Red-tailed Hawk in another area. I didn’t figure out who they were going after until I zoomed in on my photos.
Here’s the Red-tailed Hawk. I found the third and fourth photos in the panel below to be particularly interesting as the hawk flew behind some golden buds in a tree that made its underwings look like they were lit up.
Beyond that, three Mallards took to sitting on top of one of the muskrat huts. I haven’t seen a muskrat at all lately, but I can’t imagine it would tolerate this behavior. The hut looks pretty beaten up by all the weather.
That’s it for the moment. I’ll try to report back soon, as migration continues slowly but surely changes the avian landscape.
What with snow one day and then 70 degrees the next day, it must be hard deciding what to wear for your outings. 🙂
It’s a matter of keeping layers handy. I have not yet switched to a summer wardrobe. Actually the amount of wind determines almost everything.
Wow, apparently I am a little late in responding to this post. The snow is gone. The Cooper’s have moved on to establish a nest elsewhere.
I do look forward to seeing more Great Blue Herons. Robins still abound and the Fox Sparrows are scarcer.
Thanks, Bob. I was late in writing it!
The Robins are great grounds keepers.