Sunday, February 21, 2010

Sounds of Spring

Last week's snow has disappeared and hints of Spring are beginning to be seen - dirty snow and mud. February can often be the snowiest and most brutal month, but that doesn't look like the case for this year.

The most certain signs of spring, however, are not what is in weather forecasts, temperature, or what can be seen. The first signs of spring are what I hear.

And what I have been hearing is the "peer, peer, peer" of the Tufted Titmouse ...


The wonderful cheerful song of the Northern Cardinal ...


The first tentative songs from the American Goldfinch, still in the drab winter wear ...


... and American Crows which are moving around the village in ones or two, a sign that there wintering flocks is dispersing, and that they are busy with nest building. They noisily talk about their work ...

 
... and best of all, I have begun to hear the drumming of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - best of all because they go southwards for the winter, so when their drumming is heard it means they are beginning to drift northward again, and beginning to think about the activities of spring ...



A final note - these photos are from the past year, not the past week. I am hearing the sounds of spring, but not necessarily seeing them. But soon ....

Good birding!

7 comments:

Chris said...

What a nice post again Chris.
I went ou today at -4°c with a lot of wind only to see one hybrid tufted-ring necked duck and few goldcrest... No pictures for today!! How is the weather around you?

Kelly said...

...we still have a couple feet of snow here, but the temps soared into the 40s yesterday and I heard the first of "Oh Sweet Canada..." and a cardinal just started singing for the first time this morning. Those first love songs tell me spring is on the way and make me soooo happy!

Erica Houskeeper said...

Such hopeful signs! Glad you're at least hearing the sounds of spring coming. I'm hoping we'll notice the same in northern VT within a couple of weeks.

A New England Life said...

I agree with you Chris, the birds sound wonderful! My husband said the Tufted Titmouse was almost annoying the other day. LOL!

It will really be nice when the Robins start singing too.

Unknown said...

Amazing close-up shots! You really are the best!

elvira pajarola said...

GORGEOUS pictures.....each of these magnificient birdpics are telling a story....fantastic!!
ohh....I tried to do some birdwatching also.....!

have a wonderful week!
ciao ciao elvira

Larry said...

I listened to the drumming of YBSS a couple of years ago in Kent CT. it's interesting the way the drummming starts off fast and then slows down.

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