Yesterday, taking the long way home after running errands, I wondered
around some of the country roads nearby. It was a beautiful day after morning
showers. Sun out and temps. in the 70's. The first thing I heard was a
pine warbler sounding off and I stopped for a look at him. He was in
beautiful breeding plumage and looking handsome. In nearly every stand of
pines
I drove past, I stopped to hear pine warblers singing. A red tail hawk
was sounding off as it wheeled overhead and bluebirds were everywhere. I
saw a tree swallow working on a nest in a bluebird box along a fence.
Chipping sparrows were much in evidence and they were sporting their breeding
plumage - rufus cap and black eyeline. Song sparrows and field sparrows
were in full voice along with the meadowlarks.
This morning, I counted 18 goldfinches on my double sock thistle
feeder with almost as many in the surrounding bushes waiting to get on. The
males are showing their black caps and everyone was looking more colorful.
There were more than 20 red winged blackbirds in the yard with grackles and I
saw one brown headed cowbird this morning. Too bad!
Ah, my health is better in the spring!
Peggy Lyons
Concord
Campbell County
