As promised, March 30th was a day of sun and bright blue skies. It was not exactly spring like as the wind kept the temperature just above zero. Still, we saw and heard 17 species of birds on this outing.
The recent rain and melted snow made for very muddy trails. The sprouting clumps of wild garlic and some snowdrops were the only green to be seen.
On the far shore of the pond, keeping their distance were 5 Common Mergansers, two males and three females.
Farther along, we came across two pairs of Hooded Mergansers, also on the far side of the pond, away from any footpaths.
When we reached the more wooded section of the trail, there was a lot of bird activity. Northern Cardinals sang and called to mates. Female cardinals usually stay well hidden in the undergrowth, chipping to keep in contact with their mates and then darting after them. We heard grackles and chickadees also under cover.
This Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco was flitting around deep in the undergrowth, but appeared just long enough for a photo.
We have seen more and more American Robins in the parks we have visited. We saw several on this day foraging on the ground.
We heard a small flock American Goldfinches before we saw them high up in the bare branches of trees, foraging briefly before flying to a new tree or branch. The males were still pale, in non-breeding plumage, without their distinctive black caps and wings and bright yellow bodies. The females were still dull and brownish.
Here is a sample of the American Goldfinches song:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/sounds
Just when we think we have seen all of the birds we are going to see for the day, we will have an unexpected sighting, just as we are about to get into the car. We call these our “parking lot birds”. On this day, when we got to the parking lot, we noticed another photograph with her lens pointed into the pond. When we asked what she had seen, she pointed out a Great Blue Heron perched nearby. Our parking lot bird for the day!
Good News!
Susan has been watching every day, waiting for the return of our female Osprey. In the past two years, the male arrived by March 21st followed a few days later by the the female. On April 1st, Susan saw an Osprey make a circuit of the ballpark and continue up the river. Shortly after, the Osprey returned and landed on the nest and quickly after was joined by a second Osprey, presumably a male. We’re quite sure this is the female from the past two years with a new partner.
Glenn has started recording again. Here is footage from April 1:
This video is 2 minutes of the first 2 hours of recording. There are three segments, the male showing a fish he caught, the female grooming herself and the next, and the male landing on her back to perform the “dance of life”.
More rain
We thought we’d had enough rain, but apparently not. March 31st brought more rain overnight. The river is higher than we’ve seen it since we moved to London. These photos are from April 1st:-=). Fooled us!
More hellibores:
Music suggestions:
Choir Choir Choir! was back at the newly renovated Massey Hall recently.
This is how it started – in a small bar, Clinton’s, a couple of nights a week:
Now they are on tour!
Chicago:
The Lincoln Centre:
The UK: