Robins!

I know that spring is not just around the corner but today in all of the cold and wind (high temperature of 18) I saw a bunch of robins on the side of the North Union Road. They were in a crabapple tree making the most of the small frozen fruits and in fact had dropped a bunch on the snow below the tree. I have to admit that even after seeing them in February for the last few years I am still startled to see them in the cold and snow.

We have had several interesting birds at the feeder this winter. Not really unusual birds just species that we don’t have every winter. I have siskins that I wrote about earlier this winter, redpolls (I think both common and hoary). Goldfinches in big hungry flocks and one white winged crossbill who I think is lost from somewhere up north. In the last week or so I have seen a number of titmice and a few nuthatches to round out the usual chickadees, blue jays and mourning doves.

It won’t be long now until the species begin to change as the northward migration starts very slowly at first but then in a rush. In fact I am starting to think about getting a canoe off of the rack and going for an afternoon paddle. Not just yet but soon enough.