It’s the most wonderful time of the year. So goes a well-known Christmas carol, but the tune plays in my head during Spring bird migration. It plays, that is, when it’s not drowned out by the abundant birdsong that fills the woods and fields on my birding outings. This morning, I went to the Reed-BryanContinue reading “The glorious sights and sounds of Spring migration”
Tag Archives: spring
Bird counts ramp up as the weather warms
There’s no denying that Spring brings out the birds. It was sunny and light-jacket warm this morning when I visited the Pole Farm, and I was hoping to get a few shots of the common yellowthroats that have returned to the fields. I heard many but was only able to spot one, a male whoContinue reading “Bird counts ramp up as the weather warms”
A chipping sparrow enlivens the feeder
This time of year, it’s always a good idea to check the traffic at your bird feeder to see if any newcomers or old friends show up. On Sunday morning, I looked out the back windows at home and spotted a chipping sparrow on the circular perch of our primary feeder. It was the firstContinue reading “A chipping sparrow enlivens the feeder”
A song sparrow gone wrong
For the last several days, a song sparrow has been pecking at a couple of windows on the back end of our house. While my wife has been bemusedly coping with most of the attacks, I finally got a photo of the offending fellow this morning. If you look at the window in the photoContinue reading “A song sparrow gone wrong”
A real estate rush at the Pole Farm
Even without the formal arrival of Spring on the calendar, you know it’s a new season at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm. The tree swallows are back, jetting over the fields and checking out the bird boxes. The boxes are cozy quarters for the swallows and Eastern bluebirds, the latter staying in the park year-round.Continue reading “A real estate rush at the Pole Farm”
The cardinals are singing again
Can Spring possibly be near? One sure sign is birdsong, and my mood lightened last week when I heard Northern cardinals singing at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm for two consecutive days. On the third day, I heard one singing as I went out to my car for a morning appointment. Again yesterday, I heardContinue reading “The cardinals are singing again”
Springing into Spring
After enduring three dreary days of rain, I was pleased to wake up to a clear sky this morning. Lifting my spirits higher was the sight of an Eastern bluebird perched atop one of our backyard feeders. Although bluebirds are common in parks near home, it’s a rare day when I see one in ourContinue reading “Springing into Spring”
With Ping-Pong song, field sparrows reveal themselves
When I stepped out of the car at the Pole Farm parking lot, it took only a few moments for the sound to register. There it was, the unmistakeable dropping-Ping-Pong-ball song of the field sparrow. Field sparrows may actually hang around all year long in this part of the country, but they stop singing sometimeContinue reading “With Ping-Pong song, field sparrows reveal themselves”
Are the birds hinting at spring?
As the dreary days of winter drag on, I’m ever on alert for early signs of spring. Maybe the imminent arrival of Groundhog Day is stoking my curiosity, but I know for sure that certain bird behavior hints that hope springs vernal! As I stepped out of the house yesterday morning, I heard a cardinalContinue reading “Are the birds hinting at spring?”
Tapping the animal network to bring out a bird
Spring migration has been a bit of a disappointment for me this year, as I haven’t seen as many warblers as I did last year. I’ve heard them, or more accurately the Merlin sound app has heard them clustered around me, but I’ve had relatively little luck spotting them. As of the start of thisContinue reading “Tapping the animal network to bring out a bird”
The Jersey Birder 