First signs of spring (1 Viewer)

ovenbird43 · Mar 25, 2014

Migration is starting to pick up here. New arrivals this weekend included:

Yellow Warbler
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Olive Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Chipping Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, and Dark-eyed Juncos are still present in their wintering habitats.

Palo verdes are now in full bloom, prickly pear and other cactus species are just starting.

Seen local reports of Elf Owl and Hooded Oriole recently. It's getting harder to sit here in the office all day!

Andy Hurley · Mar 25, 2014

Chiffchaffs everywhere, 4 migrating Garganey last weekend, but the White-fronted Geese are lingering still.

Cheshire Birder · Mar 26, 2014

Nightingale, Cuckoo, Hobby and Redstart all reported in Britain yesterday

CB

crazyfingers · Mar 28, 2014

Finally seeing great blue herons inland from the ocean now that the lakes and ponds are icing-out. Got my first photo of one today since December.

Samuel Perfect · Mar 28, 2014

Only just seen my first summer migrant today! A Wheatear on my Cornwall patch!

coal tit · Mar 29, 2014

Black Throated Diver

Samuel Perfect said:
I still haven't seen a single summer migrant this year (closest is Chiffchaff but those overwinter here in Cornwall in decent number anyway so doesn't really count).

I did see my first sum. plum. Black-throated Diver on patch though today, a big bonus and an indication that wintering birds are still just about hanging on.

I think its always nice if you can get birds like the Black Throated Diver in Summer plumage on your local patch or any of the divers, here in
Derbyshire I have had nice views of summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe into
April and black necked Grebe too a pair once in may The Slavonian was
Present from February slowly building up to summer plumage and was a
joy to see in the spring as were the black necked grebe but being so
Land locked here in Derbyshire anything out the norm like the grebes I always
think is quite special I can add a Red Necked Grebe to the group also
on the 8th of may 2000 That was and still is I think the latest may record
And spring record in Derbyshire I only wished I had had a Camera with me
As this bird allowed close views not another bird watcher in sight till I
Reported it but it was never seen close to like that again during its
stay I was very priviledged I knew that at the time.

ovenbird43 · Mar 31, 2014

First Lucy's Warblers have arrived and are singing along the Santa Cruz River. Nashville Warblers are migrating through, and adult male Yellow-rumped Warblers are dwindling in numbers.

I noticed a fully fledged House Sparrow being fed in my backyard the other day.

Jeff Hopkins · Apr 1, 2014

I had a robin singing outside my bedroom window this morning!

dantheman · Apr 1, 2014

ovenbird43 said:
I noticed a fully fledged House Sparrow being fed in my backyard the other day.

Are you sure it wasn't courtship feeding?

Or are do they breed that early in your part of the world (also think I've heard that some may nest in warm factory locations out of normal season, unless I imagined that ... ?!)

Euan Buchan · Apr 1, 2014

Heard a few Dawn Chorus's

ovenbird43 · Apr 2, 2014

dantheman said:
Are you sure it wasn't courtship feeding?

Or are do they breed that early in your part of the world (also think I've heard that some may nest in warm factory locations out of normal season, unless I imagined that ... ?!)

Definitely a fledgling - gape and all. But some birds here start breeding as early as January/February - the winters are pretty mild. Actually, having grown up in the Midwest, I wouldn't call what we experience in southern Arizona "winter" at all

Boro Birder · Apr 2, 2014

I was over the lakes district last Saturday and we seen Wheatears, Meadow Pipits, and a single Whinchat. Also a few fellow nest recorders have found breeding Woodlarks nest with 3 eggs.
Spring is here.

Ratal · Apr 2, 2014

Skylarks on the Forsinard Flow nature reserve.

Toad and Frog spawn aplenty. No midges yet.... so its early spring

Cheshire Birder · Apr 2, 2014

Purple Heron in Cornwall was an early overshoot

CB

nartreb · Apr 2, 2014

Had the first wave of red-winged blackbirds a couple weeks ago, when the lakes were still frozen. They disappeared after a couple of days, but now there are more blackbirds along with an increase in grackles and starlings. The neighborhood has been getting gradually noisier, with changed behaviors like robins stalking the grass and enjoying birdbaths, instead of flocking to fruit trees. Today saw my first pair of bluebirds, and a mourning cloak (butterfly).

crazyfingers · Apr 2, 2014

I always note with a post the first day of the year that I hear the spring peepers and this is that post.

crazyfingers · Apr 4, 2014

More signs of spring. The cat has brought in a frog for me and left it on the basement tile. Slightly injured on the front leg but well able to hop several feet repeatedly when let go.

And don't worry. The cats have an enclosure in the back where they would almost never have access to catching any bird.

dantheman · Apr 4, 2014

Cheshire Birder said:
Purple Heron in Cornwall was an early overshoot

Mallard with duckling brood also reported in Cornwall on the 2nd.

Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps much in evidence singing in local woods, overwintering Whimbrel still about, a few other bits moving about. Bumblebees everywhere.

Cheshire Birder · Apr 4, 2014

Already looking like a record passage of Chiffchaffs going through my area!!

CB

Jeff Hopkins · Apr 4, 2014

Had a flock of 25 turkeys displaying last evening.

First signs of spring (1 Viewer)

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