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!