Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Harbingers of spring

Late yesterday afternoon I stepped out on the deck to enjoy the warm breezes that were flowing over the mountain behind the house. I spotted a soaring Turkey Vulture enjoying the breeze as well. As the snow disappears from wood and field, more carrion is exposed also. The presence of this bird means spring is returning to our region of the world.

Less macabre spring harbingers seen today included a small group of American Robins flying over the house. (Interestingly enough they were actually headed south to the top of the hill and not north.) While I know that some Robins do not migrate all the way to the Gulf and that a few will remain in our area during the winter, these are the first I have seen since last November. Later in the day we say some down in the valley along Route 6. Hopping across the field, they were doing their thing searching for earthworms and bugs in the soggy grass. With temperatures in the 50s they may have been enjoying some success.

Also seen on this morning’s ride were some Red-winged Blackbirds. As you might expect, they were gathered at the edge of a farmer’s pond where some cattails from last summer still stood.

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