When I left for Northern Ontario a week ago, it was unusually cold. And by the time I was a hundred miles into my five-hundred-mile trip, it was snowing. Yet some bird signs of spring were there: mostly male red-winged blackbirds already at their post over their chosen nesting sites—and looking a bit harried by winds that were throwing single-digit wind chills at them. The stiff winds also made the four-mile drive over the Mackinac Bridge a bit of an adventure.
Here and there a few geese and ducks had already separated from their migratory flocks into pairs—or even flying alone looking for a mate. These lone waterfowl were certainly drakes or ganders, since the females are definitely NOT alone at this time of the year! Not a single robin was yet to be seen
But, man, what a difference the big weekend warm-up made! The most obvious spring bird sign along the still snowy verges of the northern highways on my way home was hungry crows and ravens who were feasting on the carcasses of deer and other road kill the warm-up was gradually revealing and thawing. Deer that had survived the heavy snow and the hunting season were converging in large herds on fields of emerging corn stubble and meadow grasses.
By the time Tuesday morning came around it seemed as though spring was “busting out all over.” Robins were already working the lawns in spite of the fact that the worms were still several inches below the surface struggling to get up through the recently frozen sod. A row of crabapple trees was being relieved of its old fruit by a large flock of cedar waxwings and a lone male bluebird was heading into the old orchard to pick out one of its many nest holes.
In fact, some of the gnarly old apple trees have been incorporated into the landscape of a golf course and a couple commercial buildings. So the country club is amiably shared in spring and summer by golfers and bluebirds. In the fall, however, the sharing is not as amiable: dozens of geese, many of them newly matured goslings, grazing on the grass, pecking at fallen apples, and creating unplanned golfing hazards.
This morning, though chilly again, the birds were still active—especially the male cardinals singing and bragging on the tree tops or chasing each other around and through the bushes and shrubbery. And the robins too are staking their nesting claims in the orchard, which will be a virtual bird nursery in another month: brown thrashers, goldfinches, yellow warblers, chickadees, mourning doves, song sparrows, cardinals, and robins.
I will be sorry when this tiny urban “wilderness” is finally sold off and developed.
See you outdoors!
Dean
March 20th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Here in western NC, on this first (official) day of Spring, we were preceded by several very warm days in the upper 70′s, so we’re “birding” big time in our neck of the woods. Still gets into the 30′s at night, but days are wonderful. Will be camping this weekend with our Scout troop, so for me: Spring has sprung!
That picture of the Mackinac bridge looks like you would be driving right into the North Pole. Had to browse Mapquest to see where you had traveled. that looks like a very long bridge that crosses the “confluence” of Lakes Michigan and Huron. What on earth do you call that point?
As you can see, this ole southern boy ain’t too up on your geographical territory.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:31 am
The Mackinac (pronounced “mackinaw”) Bridge, the “Mighty Mac,” spans the Mackinac Straits. It was finished in 1957. Since the straits are open and at the same level as the lakes it joins, Michigan and Huron, the two lakes are in reality one lake. The straits are about five miles wide, and were crossed by car ferries until the bridge was finished. I believe I crossed by ferry once as a kid. I-75 crosses the bridge and ends about 50 miles ENE at Sault Ste. Marie, generally called “The Soo.” There you cross the bridge over the Soo Locks on the St. Marys River into Canada. This is where Lake Superior empties into Lake Huron.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:40 am
The Robins returned here one day last week. Very odd. Usually there is a few that come in early, but not this year. They showed up enmass.
All the birds are nest building. I put straw out around my feeding areas as the deer have made a mess of the yard. The straw dries up the mud, gives an aid to smoothing things out and gives building material to the birds.
Some of the Robins will build new nests right on top of last years. I try also to discourage the starlings from being here at all. But they usually win out.
The last couple years we have tried to put out Oriole feeders. They feed off of them for about a week then they don’t return to them?
I have put out some oranges cut up, lots of birds like the citrus flesh.
Also as soon as it began to warm up, well before the Robins showed up. The honey bees were thick all over my feeding areas.
I too am glad to see Spring arive, though this morning was 21, and yes we had snow flurries.
Happy First day of Spring to all!
Steve
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 am
Quick follow-up on last post: Yes, Spring has sprung, but camping this past weekend reminded me that in March, winter still can send a zinger in there, and did. Woke in the mornings to heavy frosts and frozen fire buckets both mornings. Temps during the day still in the very cool range with the sun shining.
Heard the coyotes howl, geese honk, and donkeys bray during the early morning hours. Bobcats singing(??) during the night. Cool on the outside, but warm fuzzies just being outdoors.
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Bill Bryson in A Walk In the Woods had a lot to say about the tricky mountain weather in early spring. Seems like it is that factor that makes many Appalachian Trail hikers quit early when they start out in the south in early spring