Thursday, April 14, 2011
bird report as the buds begin to burst
We still have some hooded merganzers and ring-necked ducks on their migrant way north stopping here for a week or two. The Merganzers are early comers, when the ice is not yet out (perhaps two weeks ago now), the ring-necked more recent.
This morning I saw Wood Ducks fly into the pine snag between house and pond, where woodpeckers have nested before. What a gift to have it front and center of our view.
All the usual early spring birds are here: Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles, Mourning Doves. I think I heard a Winter Wren, and would like to hear more. Lots of Rob-bob-bobbins, Cardinal song and happy noises from Nuthatches and Chickadees, Titmice, woodpeckers. I may have heard the Kingfisher, and as I write I think I heard the burr of a warbler. Is it early? Herons are here of course and a few turtles have gotten out to sun on logs on warm days.
We seem to have a good quotient of Hylers this spring, some years they’re a little thin. Always there are more at the east end of the pond.
The phoebe has been here for several days and Bluebirds are around although I don’t see nesting behavior related to any of our boxes. Still to overhung with big trees? We’re still re-opening the meadow for llama graze and Bluebird habitat.
I cut the Syringa tree and one Redbud near the llamas to make room for a new veggie/herb/fruit garden. Still need to stump it and spade before adding compost. We also have a great big oak to take down which provides more shade than veggies will want.
All the hens are laying, from old mama white Silkie to younger Red Pyle Old English bantams and other layers in between: Spitzhauben, Golden Buffs, Araucanas and the goofy barnyard cross (Barred Rock plumage, Araucana ears and beard, Silkie top-puff).