March 18, 2009 [LINK / comment]

McCormick's Mill early spring

I stopped at McCormick's Mill on a nice day last week, and saw several Tree swallows for the first time this spring, plus a few other birds of note. At other places that day I also saw some Towhees and a White-breasted nuthatch. Highlights:

• Tree swallows -- 4
• Bluebirds -- 3
• Sharp-shinned hawk
• Yellow-rumped warblers -- 6
• Song sparrows -- 15
• Purple finches -- 8
• Canada geese -- 6
• Ring-necked ducks -- 4
• Phoebe
• Meadowlark
• Red-bellied woodpecker
• Black vultures -- 6
• Grackles -- 20+

Robins are now back in full force, another sign of imminent spring, while Pine siskins are still showing up at our feeder most days. I heard a bump on the window about ten days ago, went outside, and found a dead Pine siskin lying on the ground. What a pity.