And the Orchestra Resumes

The Loudest Performance Of The Year

It’s still a little cold out, not freezing though close enough.   But it’s warm enough for birds to migrate back to this area.  The ones that take residence year round and group together for winter survival start to de-group now.  They all sing to make their territory known, and to attract females.  This time of year they usually sing at their loudest.

A pair of Northern Cardinals waiting their turn, with an American Goldfinch, at the feeder

A few of them have already settled, built nests and some of them have laid eggs.  Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) have taken one of the nest boxes and produced four eggs a couple of weeks ago.  American Robins (Turdus migratorius) settled in the rhododendron in the front, also with four eggs.  A pair of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) is in the middle of building their nest.  The Chickadees (Parus atricapillus) are still choosing.  Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) should come back soon since the cherry trees have started to blossom.

Eastern Towhee foraging for food by a brush pile

A male House Finch shares a bath with honeybees

Cooper’s Hawk, our population control officer, also came to visit

All in all we have a very loud garden and it seems a non-stop chorus, except when the hawks come by.  And, these are some of the louder singers:

A flock of American Goldfinches can be really loud. This male is in his full summer garb.

Song Sparrow has quite lovely song

Early morning and evening singer award goes to American Robins

White-throated sparrow is not a bad singer either

Still more to come, some migrating birds have not yet arrived.