Tuesday, March 22, 2011

I'm In No Hurry To See Warblers

-------------------------( Common Grackle)-----------------------------------------------------
Spring is one of my favorite seasons of the year, the other being fall. If I had one complaint about spring it would be that it goes by too quickly. There are only so many perfect spring days when the sun is shining and the temperature is in the 60- 70 degree range before spring turns into summer. This year, I'm not making the mistake of looking for those perfect spring days. It's spring right now and I plan on making the most of it.

One thing I've done in recent years is to look forward to the arrival of warblers. This year, I want to enjoy spring as it unfolds naturally without putting any specific emphasis on seeing warblers . There are plenty of other birds to see before the warblers get here. On Saturday, I spent several hours at a local swamp that was alive with the sound of birds actively searching for food and displaying.
Male Red-winged Blackbirds took position in high perches as they belted out their best conk-ra-lee calls while showing off their fancy red wing patches.
I watched as this grackle contemplated whether or not to take the plunge.
It couldn't resist taking a dip into the freshly melted water. This grackle returned to the same log and repeated this process three times.
There are still a lot of people I talk to that think robins don't arrive in Connecticut until spring. I see them all winter but it isn't until the ground is melted that they show up on people's lawns ready for a worm-picking picnic.
I led a local field trip on Saturday afternoon to areas along the Connecticut River in Portland. Here is the list for the day: Killdeer-(photo), Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackle, Song Sparrow, Ring-billed Gull, Belted kingfisher, Ring-necked Pheasant, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Great Blue Heron, nesting Bald Eagles, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Wilson's Snipe, American Crow, American Robin, Wood Duck, Red-tailed Hawk, Mallard, Canada Goose, European Starling, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco, Ring-necked Duck, White-throated Sparrow, Great Cormorant, Black-capped Chickadee, House Sparrow, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Phoebe.
It was still a little chilly this weekend and the warblers have not arrived yet but spring is here. I'm not looking for perfect weather or the first warbler. I'm just looking forward to the next opportunity to be outdoors and to see what treasure nature has to show me next.

8 comments:

Ruth said...

You have an impressive list of birds for this time of year. I am looking forward to a break in winter weather so I can do a day of birding. Grackles have attitude and I like that.

troutbirder said...

Well said. For me, a fairly new birder, the warblers are such a big challenge...so many kinds and colors.

Hilke Breder said...

Nice shots, Larry! Love the way the Killdeer cautiously lifts a foot for the next step, and so does the grackle. Savor the moment: you bring the right attitude toward Spring.

Kathie Brown said...

If I had been with you on Saturday I could have picked up 2 or 3 lifers! I've been chasing an elusive ring-necked pheasant all over Colchester and Lebanaon but still have not seen it! It's on my Life List but not on my CT list(yet). I am looking forward to spring and to warblers. There are far more warblers here in the Northeast than in AZ, but I have so much to learn and fear I will be overwhelmed trying to sort them all out! Still, it IS exciting to be able to go outside once again and at least get around! The snow was far too deep before. I know I will have so many birds to see and re-discover while I am still here. Excellent post.

Chris Petrak said...

Yes - early spring - one of the few times when birders are glad to see the cowbirds - but I also enjoy the blackbirds with their iridescence and their enthusiastic displays.

Larry said...

Ruth-The birding is not too bad around here.Sounds like the weather is still tough over your way-hope it improves for you soon.

troutbirder-I'm fairly new too but I've seen most of them that come to our area by now.I love seeing them but there are other birds too.

Hilke-thanks-I don't really know my way around a camera yet but I do try.

Kathiebirds-"I've been chasing an elusive ring-necked pheasant all over Colchester."- You should take a break-you must be tired from chasing that pheasant. If you are going to be in Connecticut in Spring you should tag along for one of the free trips done by Hartford Audubon,New Haven bird Club or Mattabeseck Audubon

Chris-nicely said-If I had your writing skills-it would make blogging a whole lot easier.

Dawn Fine said...

I agree..whats the hurry..enjoy it all. Great shots..Like the Grackle bathing..I am a sucker for bird bathing shots..voyeur that i am ..hee hee

Larry said...

dawn-birds do seem to enjoy their baths.Makes it easier to get a picture too.