I am an infrequent poster, but now feel the urge to jump into Spring. I
hope the last snow-fall is behind us.
This morning, a male Eastern Towee appeared under the feeders accompanied by
the wintering White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos.
Three Fox Sparrows visited for several days but have now departed. Six
Yellow-rumped Warblers have steadily feed from the suet feeders for the last
month. During the last snow-fall, there were 14. Carolina Wren and
Northern Cardinal songs start before I pick-up the morning newspaper. There
are approximately 40 American Goldfinches at the Nyjer feeders. Their
bright yellow plumage is starting to pop-out. I have not seen any Pine
Siskin over the winter. Last winter there were thirty. Blue Jays give an
alert call when Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks get interested in the
finches or for a passing Red Fox. There are four wintering House Finches
but no Purple Finches so far. Tufted Titmouses and Carolina Chickadees
finish out the small birds.
The back of my house faces Middle Run stream that winds its way through
sections of Northern Virginia into Pohick Creek and eventually into the
Potomac River. During this past week, I have seen Mallards and Wood Ducks
in the stream as well as a Great-blue Heron. Occasionally, I will see Green
Heron and Belted Kingfishers (usually heard before being seen).
Red-shouldered Hawks and Barred Owls hunt along the stream and woodland
breaks as well as Red-tailed Hawks.
Then there are the Woodpeckers. Three days ago a male Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker make visits to the suet feeder. The Red-bellieds have started
sounding-out their territory by hammering on the loudest object they can
find, namely gutters and chimney guards. This is fine unless it's 6:00 in
the morning! The total Woodpecker population includes three Downys, two
Hairys, three Red-bellieds, three Northern Flickers and two Pileateds. Over
the past five years, the Pileated Woodpeckers have produced two offspring
per year - it's quite a show with all four on the feeders at the same time.
The Gray Catbirds and House Wrens have not yet returned, but soon.
Oh yes, and no Mississippi Kites ---yet!
Reese Burgoyne
Springfield, VA
PS: You can see I'm not a fan of bird name abbreviations --- I hope this
practice catches on
