Grrrrr-ackle Migration

Around noon today I went down to my cousin's farm.  After watering the plants in the greenhouse I decided to see if anything was out.  There is a driving path through the woods but I decided to park and walk in hopes of sneaking up on anything that might be out.  I had not gone far when the noise of hundreds of birds could be heard.

I could distinguish the sound of the Red-winged Blackbirds but was uncertain of the other until I got closer.  Hundreds of Grackles!  Yes, there was also a group of blackbirds mixed in with them.  They moved from pine tree to pine tree like a swarm of locust.  Bits of bark rained down as they were flipping bark off looking for insects.

They found to the two patches of millet that had been grown and left as part of the wildlife land management program and the ground turned black with birds.  I kept trying to sneak up but no way.  They would get up and fly in mass to the surrounding trees.

It was hard to capture a picture that showed the shear numbers of these birds.  I have cropped down a couple just to give you an idea.  It was really quite an amazing sight to see so many in one location.

Seeds in the Wind

March winds bring April showers and April showers  bring May flowers.  So far, the winds of March have been true.  A noticeable change today in the number of trees budding out.  Slowly Mother Earth is springing back to life.

 A Carolina Chickadee was aiding in the dispersal of cattails that have gone to seed.  Every time it would pull at some seeds to eat, hundreds of seed would get caught in the wind drifting for long distances.  It is easy to see how and area gets a dense population of these plants in a relatively short time..

Changes

What a difference a day makes.  While still a bit on the windy side, the strong winds of yesterday's cold front are gone, the sun is out, and if you could get out of the wind, not a bad day outside.

There was almost a palpable feel today that spring is almost here.  Trees are beginning to bud out and there is an excitement in the birds behavior.  A Golden-crowned Kinglet was doing some serious hunting on a Pine Tree.  I am not sure what it was finding but explored each tip in depth.

A group of Pine Siskins came in and swarmed on this tree eating seeds.  They have hit it several times so I am surprised anything was left there to eat.











The transformation to their breeding colors changes almost on a daily basis.  The aggressiveness of the Yellow-rumped Warblers seems to increase as their colors become bolder.  The differences between the Auduboni and Myrtle sub-species is unmistakable with the Myrtle sub-species becoming very handsome now.  I have more in the yard now than I have had all year and guess from the large numbers they are beginning to mass for their northern migration.

While I have had a large number, more Red-breasted Nuthatches have also flocked in and their colors are also changing.  When they first arrived, the red of their breast was very pale but is now becoming a rich rust color.  I will still be curious to see if they depart and if so, will they ever return.  I have enjoyed them immensely over the winter months.







The blue of the male Bluebirds is becoming an electric blue and their rust colored chest is deepening.  The pairs have been steadily scoping out the next boxes and nest building should begin soon.

Wild and Windy Day

I went out for a little while this morning before the wind picked up too much.  Winds have been building from the northwest all afternoon 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph and feels like they are coming off ice.

I went out to watch the otters for a bit this morning.  They really put on a show.  I try to enjoy them while they are here as their visit is all to brief.  They swirled and played in the water, running up on the banks and sliding back in the water.  It was like watching children at play.




I was thrilled to see a Wood Duck on the pond this morning.  It has been a disappointing winter without them.  Hopefully additional will come in for nesting.  Not many brave souls out in the cold and wind this morning and the creatures responded to the quite by coming close in.









A usual visitor, the Great Blue Heron was not so skittish this morning.




The Cooper's Hawk sat nearby intently watching for an opportunistic meal.  All in all despite the weather, it was a really good morning.

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River Otter

Though spring is only about 15 days away, we have had a fairly colder than normal March so far.  A sure sign that spring is nearby is the arrival of the otters.  One or a pair usually come through and stay at the park for a couple of weeks at the beginning of spring and appear again in October.

I headed out to a neighboring town this morning to go get some fabric and since the park is on the way, took the camera.  Clouds were building and I hoped I could get in a few minutes before the rain.  It was worth the detour as I was treated to see the otter.  I didn't get but a few shots because it started to drizzle and I definitely don't have the camera out in the rain.  Hopefully more opportunities in the next few days for some better shots.

Hermit Thrush

Despite lots of sunshine, cool temperatures and a steady breeze made for a cold day outside so  I only went out for a little bit.  For the last several weeks, a Hermit Thrush has been hanging around a particular area.  As soon as I would try to get set to take a shot, it would go in to the underbrush.











This morning hunger beat out the desire to flee.  This Smilax vine is always loaded with berries in the fall through winter that look like blueberries.  You would think that the birds would really go for the berries but they never get eaten until very late in the winter and then only be a few species of birds and occasionally by the squirrels.


This Hermit Thrush took a liking to them and stayed for a bit giving me some good photo op's.

Palm Warblers

Off and on sunshine today with more off than on but I chanced going out for a bit this morning.  Very cool and a wind that cut through you so I didn't stay out too long but with the weather going down hill all day and rain projected for the next couple I wanted to get out.

I stopped by one area to see what was out and was treated to at least a dozen Palm Warblers all gathered in a small location.  It was quite a sight to see so many together.