Flying into spring in the Northern Neck on the wings of a 3-week trip to
Florida where it is summer. There was still a large raft of Ruddy Ducks on
the Rappahannock this morning. Going with eBird estimating I'm
guesstimating 1000 in a half mile, thin skein (at least 10 clumps of 100,
but probably low). Eight Ospreys are in the air at once.Two Osprey nests
have been refurbished & are attended by Osprey pairs. In a funny mix-up,
Olivia has chosen the neighbor's platform instead of her usual. Her
minimalist style nest is obvious & the new inhabitants at the end of this
dock have built a whopper of a nest. I wonder if it could be one of
Olivia's babies because when I whistle softly to the female as I always
have done with Olivia she cocks her head & whistles softly back.
Chipping Sparrows are singing; Yellow-throated Warblers are singing.
Goldfinches are bright yellow & black & Bluebirds are amazingly blue. All
of these changes have been effected while I was gone. Today Brown Thrashers
have come out of the woods into the yard. I hear Wood Ducks wheeping as
they fly unseen through the wooded wetlands.
--
Lee Loudenslager Adams
Suggett's Point Warsaw, VA
Fredericksburg, VA
