First Outing of the Spring

This morning I went birding in the woods for the first time this spring. I still can't get over how different things look since Hurricane Ike. I was hoping to see some early migrants. I did see four - Great Crested Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Black-and-white Warbler and Northern Parula. It was nice to see them. I look forward to spring migration so much and it is very exciting when I start seeing the migrants come in. The birds are certainly anticipating spring's arrival. The woods were filled with songs of Carolina Wrens, Northern Cardinals, White-eyed Vireos and Hermit Thrushes.

Another sign of spring is nesting. I checked the Eastern Bluebird nest to find one egg in the nest! This is two weeks earlier than they laid eggs in 2008 and a month earlier than last year. If they lay five eggs, the last one will be laid on March 17.

Birds seen 3/13/10 (31 species): White Ibis, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue Jay, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird