In addition to the birds Ken Hinkle reported from the Shenandoah
Valley, we have other signs of spring (most of which have been
reported from other parts of the state much earlier). I have had
Purple Finches at my feeder the past several days. (Some persons,
such as Ken have been graced with their presence all winter,
but I take it them as a sign of spring.) A Fox Sparrow(s) has also
made intermittent appearances the past two weeks. Even my wife got
excited [Look, Clair, look!!] about an unusual robin (?) at our
feeder this morning. It turned out to be a very handsomely attired
Eastern Towhee. Rusty Blackbirds and Common Snipe recently showed up along
Well Hollow Road where I haven't seen them all winter. The
grackles are back which means that if I want to feed the juncos and
white-throats by throwing seed on the ground (I do) then I have to grit
my teeth and feed not only two chipmunks, a vast multitude of
squirrels, and a host of doves (bearable), but also hundreds (thousands?)
of grackles that I have descended on my back yard. I suppose that all this
means is that I should be out looking for Solitary Vireos,
waterthrushes, and Black-throated Greens rather than writing notes
to people whose spring lists are already much longer than mine.
Clair Mellinger
Biology Department
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
mellinac@xxxxxxx
(540) 432-4409
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