The first thing we noticed was the birds at our feeder have all turned brighter -- the plumage is definitely more colourful than at Christmas.
We have Carolina wrens and their feathers seem to have taken on a brighter look. We get very good views of them and the brown on the body and even the white throat on the neck seem to glow with a colour we have not seen since fall.
The same applies to our house finches, chickadees and mourning doves, and even our unwanted starlings are beginning to show some speckles associated with spring feathers. This last week's blast of snow was unwelcome, but the temperatures didn't fall like a stone with the snow.
On a drive to Grand Bend, Ont. last Sunday, we saw a number of horned larks. They were not of the northern variety and we have to think these are new birds from the south -- spring birds, in fact.
Alf Rider notes he saw more than 50 birds last weekend and although he couldn't tell if they were the northerns or regular birds from the south, the fact he saw a group of that number certainly makes you wonder if they were from farther south. It's time for some to be coming back as they nest here in March.
There have been reports of some great horned owls hooting, probably over territory -- and this makes one think we have turned the corner. There have been reports of these owls hooting in more than one place, so it looks as though they are starting to establish territory and prepare to nest. They could have eggs by the end of this month.
The days are getting longer and all this contributes to the feeling that spring is on the way, even if slowly.
If any of you hear more owls or see more horned larks, please e-mail me.
Updates
There have been more reports from the Rio Grande Valley, where Terry and Dawn Crabe have spent the winter for the last six years. They're just outside Bentson State Park, a wonderful birding area. They plan to leave the valley soon, head for the coast, around the Gulf of Mexico to southern Florida and return to our area in late April, chasing bird migration as they go -- a great way to spend the winter. Terry used to be park naturalist at Pinery Provincial Park south of Grand Bend.
On Tuesday, there is an interesting presentation at the Central Library's Wolf Performance Hall from 7:30-8:30 p.m. by London's urban forester, Ivan Listar, on "London's Amazing Tree Quest."
thomasnhayman@rogers.com
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