"It is the seam between winter and spring—though seam suggests an even hem, and March is more like a rough line of stitches sewn by an unsteady hand, swinging wildly between January gusts and June greens. You don’t know what you’ll find, until you step outside."
― V. E. Schwab
Though there wasn't an abundance of birds at Pope Farm Conservancy on Saturday, I did find a lone male Eastern Bluebird singing at the leading edge of the oaks along the moraine. There were a few Red-winged Blackbirds, but more on still on the way. From now until early June, each day will bring fresh avian arrivals when there's good weather for migration. Southerly winds are bringing in warm gulf air, so temperatures are going to be above normal for the next few days. We'll be back into the 30s and 40s next week, but already the snow has retreated significantly.
The bluebird would sing from high perches, but also make brief inspections of his future spring and summer home. I saw him grab a couple of prey items off the ground, but he ate them so quickly I couldn't tell what they were. I'm glad for now he's finding plenty to eat. March is a long month to get through without another wintery arctic blast, but even some Eastern Bluebirds overwinter in Wisconsin. A Red-tailed Hawk paid no mind to the bluebird, as it's sights were probably set on something more delectable in the form of a rodent and not a songbird.
American Tree Sparrows appear to be forming larger flocks in preparation for their return north. Depending on the location of their summer hope, these dapper little sparrows are looking at an 800 to 1,000 mile journey from southern Wisconsin to northern parts of Canada. Though mostly vocalizing their teedle teedle calls, a few were singing full song.
All throughout my morning hike I could hear the calls of Sandhill Cranes from near and afar. Occasionally a flock comprising of a dozen to over fifty birds would fly overhead, making their way further north of Dane County. Also heading north were several large skeins of Canada Geese. I was especially pleased to observe at least one large flock of Greater White-fronted Geese making their way northwest ― their high-pitched distinctive yelping calls always give them away.
Other new arrivals over the weekend included Killdeer, Turkey Vultures, Common Grackles, more Song Sparrows, but I didn't find an Eastern Meadowlark just yet. At the Deming Way confluence pond I found a beautiful male Hooded Merganser, Green-winged Teal, and a Northern Shoveler.
I photographed this pair of Sandhill Cranes at Esser Pond. Most of the time they kept their beaks and faces to their business of searching for things to eat in the moist soil and mud. They get the rusty highlights in their feathers by adding mud to their feathers as they preen.
All images © 2021 Mike McDowell