Hi there VAbirders,
We've had White-throated Sparrows in the yard all winter as usual, but in
the last 2 weeks or so we have many more "white" White-throateds than
tan. In fact, almost all the ones we are seeing now are white, with only
an occasional tan. During the winter, the reverse was true. And my, they
are so pretty. Their white is electric.
More yard news, the male Sharpie that's been here for the last month or so
got one of our Hairy woodpeckers yesterday by that tried and true method of
driving it into our window, then making off with it. The Sharpie usually
gets House Sparrows, Darlings (Starlings), Grackles, or Modos. I have to
admit that his getting a Hairy hurts a little. I guess the female Hairy
will find a new mate soon, but right now she looks a tad lost.
Along reptilian lines......FOD Terrapene carolina!
This morning I started out the back door to feed the birdees and stopped
with a jerk....
There in front of me on the edge of the patio was our first Box turtle of
the season! She was looking right at me, her head erect, not taking her
eye off me. Golly she made me grin with delight! I edged around her to
the right, giving her a wide berth so as not to bother her, and went about
feeding and watering the birdees. Then I returned to the door via the same
route. She never moved a smidge nor blinked an eye, not that I noticed
anyway. Once inside, I quietly shut the door and watched her from the
window. Immediately she started onto the patio in the direction of the
leaves collected in the corner. My guess is she was hunting for slugs,
which I hope she enjoys thoroughly! Hey, maybe she's French! ;-) You
know, every time I see a Box turtle here, it makes me feel like I'm doing
something right. They seem to like our slugs, strawberries, and Opuntia
aka Prickly Pear Cactus.
More trees and shrubs leafing out, more blossoms coming along...perhaps
it's finally Spring?
Enjoy!
Lori Markoff
Vienna
Fairfax County
canyon.eagle@xxxxxxxxxxx
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
