However, one of my favorite parts of spring is hearing and seeing all the birds that flit around my property. Ironically, I was outside in a hat, gloves and coat when I heard my first redwing blackbirds of the season but since then, robins have taken up residence, and the house sparrows have returned, stealing the grass seed I scattered on my rather thin lawn. Nuthatchers are entertaining to watch as they peck at tree bark upside down while they hunt for food. An eastern bluebird has taken up residence nearby, and I enjoy spotting him every day, sitting in a tree or resting on my shepherd’s hook. The chickadees are fun to spot as they switch branches on a tree. Crows occasionally stop by especially if I have left out some pizza crusts for them. Turkeys have even hung around my front lawn, and I startled them (and they, me) as I opened my front door and they quickly flew away. I was up early one morning before most birds were active and all I could hear was “gobble, gobble, gobble”.
I’m still learning about all the different birds that stop over on my property as I expect there are more I have not identified. Which birds do you enjoy spotting in the spring?
Sara Klink
Hi Sara, So glad you wrote/asked about birds today! On two separate occasions yesterday I enjoyed seeing the first Brown Thrashers of the year. Here is some info: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/brown_thrasher/lifehistory
Interesting due to their size, and long tail, they have a lovely, complicated song. While the two I saw were high in the trees, the best thing, imo, about brown thrashers is if you catch them on the ground, because they really do thrash, as they dig through leaves and undergrowth searching for whatever they eat. The thrashing is so involved and hyper that it’s comical to watch. ]; >