FAQ - What Bird is our True Harbinger of Spring?

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ATTENTION

Our eyes and ears should be open and alert to the natural wonders that surround us every day. Take time to look out our windows to see the birds that visit us and open our windows to hear them. Walk around whatever space we have to enjoy the birds in nature. Every day, work on improving our powers of observation.

ACCEPTANCE

Nature happens. We cannot MAKE natural things happen (or NOT happen). We can create habitats to encourage natural things to happen around us, but there are no guarantees.

RESPONSIBILITY

Birdfeeding comes with responsibilities to the birds and the environment we share with them. If you are unwilling to accept these responsibilities, you shouldn’t feed the birds. We also have a responsibility to share these natural wonders with the next generation.

March 01, 2012

FAQ - What Bird is our True Harbinger of Spring?

Q. What is our true harbinger of spring?

A. Here in upstate New York, we say that the return of the Red-winged Blackbird is the true sign that spring is really on its way.

Blackbirds leave our area each fall but they don't necessarily go too far (they can be seen in winter in southern parts of the state). They can start their northward spring movement in February. In my yard, I can expect to see them as early as the second week in March. Early spring is the most likely time of year for me to see Red-winged Blackbirds at my birdfeeders.

American Robins are not the harbinger of spring that perhaps they used to be. Robins are now seen year-round in our area of upstate New York, feeding on the remaining berries and fruits on trees and shrubs. Watch for robins in winter at your heated bird bath as well!

Posted at 02:47 PM in Attention, FAQs, Feeder Birds, Food for Birds, Migration | Permalink

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Thanks you Lucy for your visit and nice comment.

Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | April 24, 2012 at 02:42 PM

Nice post at all. I just impressed to read about this. Love it at this time. Thanks for this allocation. :)

Posted by: Lucy Sonia | April 20, 2012 at 10:16 AM

Talked to a friend in Galway who told me she had red winged blackbirds back end of January?!

Posted by: Marianne Russell | March 02, 2012 at 11:12 PM

You are so right about snow bringing out the birds. Our urban yard has been empty since winter began. This morning an explosion - robins, cardinals, downy woodpeckers, titmice, grackles, and starlings, stripping the last wild grapes off the vines and mobbing the pond that we keep open with a pond heater. We ditched breakfast and just watched them.

Posted by: Kathy Petersen | March 02, 2012 at 09:37 PM

Kathiesbirds - is 2/29 earlier than normal? I just saw my first red-winged, well before "normal" (whatever THAT is!!)

Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | March 02, 2012 at 07:45 AM

I saw my first red-wings at the bog on Feb. 29th this year! The grackles have returned as well, but I have been seeing robins around town all winter, though rarely in my yard.

Posted by: Kathiesbirds | March 01, 2012 at 09:46 PM

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