Look - Up in the Sky!

We're keeping track of signs of spring at the nature center. While some people consider robins as the harbingers of spring, I've always preferred red-winged blackbirds. The males usually arrive at the Farm Pond the third week of March. They perch on top of the trees and sing out their "konk-a-ree" as they claim territory. The females arrive a couple of weeks later and nest-building begins.

Well, this year, the red-wings have already arrived - on Saturday! Today, during a maple syruping class, we watched two males - one in a willow tree and the other on the island in the Farm Pond. The red on their shoulders is intense, making it easy to spot as they fly to and from the spots they are trying to claim.

Ticks yesterday, red-winged blackbirds today - spring is here already.

A red-winged blackbird in a tree by the Farm Pond
(No, the trees haven't leafed out yet - this picture is from a couple of years ago.)