primitives discuss spring starting

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1208599

Oh my.

Purplehazed (100 posts)   Wed Apr 10, 2013, 11:09 PM

Spring has started

In Southern Maine

The feeder is not nearly as busy as it was a few weeks ago. The endless stream of Chickadees, Nuthatches and
Titmouses?Titmice? have dispersed into the woods now that much of the snow cover has melted. The Chickadees are now singing back and forth every morning provided it's not too windy. The Blue jays continue to come every day for peanuts screaming and hollering. There's not as much extra on the ground so I spread a little for the Mourning Doves. The Turkeys don't come as often but they're in the mating season. You can hear the gobbles deep in the woods.
 
New arrivals are exciting. To weeks ago Slate Juncos showed up. They seemed, not pleased with the cold snap we had. They were a little lethargic and sat puffed up against the cold. This past weekend, the Robbins appeared flipping over all the leaves in the lawn and the edges of the woods. They're not singing yet. Today was stupendous however, the trees were alive with the addition of Sparrows and others that I can't identify.
 
Even though it wastes a little heat I just like to open the windows in the morning and listen. The older I get, the more I delight in it.

cpwm17 (1,220 posts)    Thu Apr 11, 2013, 12:32 AM

1. This is my favorite time of year

The birds are singing, and I look forward to the newly arriving birds.

I'm visiting my parents' house in San Diego now where spring starts really early. New birds are still arriving or passing through.

fadedrose (5,936 posts)    Thu Apr 11, 2013, 12:37 AM

2. Nobody has their best voice yet...

The robins sound like castanets, the redwings have a simple single wistle, same pitch, the sparrows haven't said anything worth listening to, the cardinals only make a kissing sound....I miss their summer songs.
 
Orioles will arrive last week or April or first week of May. Need to get some jelly and oranges and have them ready. Hummingbirds come about the same time. Have to make some sugar water and have it ready in the frig in case they come early.
 
Cold and blowing, thunder and lightening....I hope the trees have a better time of it since this year, they did not have a false spring in March.
 
Blue jays are, as you say, hollering for peanuts. I don't think they have a nice song in summer, but the way they look more than makes up for it.
 
Enjoy....

The primitive with the sensitive bottom:

Curmudgeoness (10,253 posts)    Thu Apr 11, 2013, 08:30 PM

3. I'm with you....love to hear all the birds being so vocal.

Robins are singing already here, early in the morning. A Song Sparrow has been carrying a tune somewhere in my front yard.
 
But you are right, they are not as into congregating in numbers at the feeder.

And don't worry about those Juncos. They spend the winter here where we have lots of snow and cold, and they thrive. We always called them "snowbirds" when I was young, because they came with the winter. There are still some here, but they will be leaving soon.