The Vernal Equinox is still a few days off, but songs of new spring arrivals defied the lingering wintery weather. It was only 17 degrees when I set foot on the trails of Pheasant Branch Conservancy this morning, but at least the sun was out. The trail was covered with ice due to recent rain, thawing, and then a subsequent freeze.
Slowly walking by the oak trees just before the boardwalk, White-throated Sparrows that survived the winter could be heard singing their doleful Sam Peabody song. A nearby Red-winged Blackbird added a couple of konk-la-ree calls but he seemed like he would rather have been someplace where it was warmer. In the distance I could hear the calls of Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese at the marsh.
"Sprout" the Barred Owl was perched at one of his usual spots and enjoying the warmth the sun was providing. The tips of his breast feathers gently waved in a breeze that couldn't be felt from where I was standing below; the roosting owl was otherwise perfectly motionless.
It looks like we're in for at least another week of cold weather. Hopefully things will turn warmer soon because Eastern Phoebes and Yellow-rumped Warblers are on their way!
Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
Mar 17, 2013 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
37 species
Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked Pheasant
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
All images © 2013 Mike McDowell