Chirps and Cheeps

Have you been noticing the subtle changes in the bird songs in recent mornings? I've been hearing the two-toned calls of the Black-capped Chickadees for the last several days and, just about 3 days ago, I heard the beautiful song of the Northern Cardinal. Spring is coming and the birds are starting to broadcast it!

Songbirds were easily found today. I went to Goat Island with Celeste Morien and we found a nice variety of them all around. A pair of singing Carolina Wrens was, perhaps, the highlight of our time there, although a Cooper's Hawk's fly-through really got our adrenaline going! We found Black-capped Chickadees and Northern Cardinals, a pair of American Robins, and a few Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, White-breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and a Brown Creeper.

Before all this, we happened to see a Great Horned Owl fly in to where we were! Wow, that was nice! I happened to have my camera out and ready for a change too.  We were able to clearly see its gorgeous yellow eyes, widely spaced ear tufts, and white throat. The owl quickly began to get mobbed by some crows. I'm sure s/he was definitely able to hold its own, though, being one of the most powerful and largest raptors of our region.  They are one of the few predators who will will take a skunk for prey.  The Great Horned is exceeded in size only by the Great Gray Owl and is one of the earliest birds to nest, sometimes even in late January.  Here are some photos of a nesting Great Horned from last year:

• February 2013 (still on the nest): Raptor Nesters
• April 2013 (owlets hatched and out of the nest): Hawk Watch and Owl Update

As I write this, it's still cold but the sun is shining and spring is slowly pushing the cold blanket of winter out of the way!