Woods and edges ring with the calls of White-crowned Sparrows. It seems late for them this year....usually we notice their visit in April. The White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, and American Tree Sparrows are gone....vanished north about a week ago. We may see a few stragglers yet, but the ones that live here all winter and walk tame, practically underfoot, have left for the nesting lands. The White-crowns will not be far behind them.
On one hand I miss them, but it is hard not to enjoy the migrants showing up here every day to fill their niches.
Many of our winter sparrows summer and breed far to the north. I guess they are fueling up for the flight to northern Canada this week. I sure am enjoying them.
Here's a bonus link about how false eggs are helping preserve bird populations.
We had a huge decline in the pheasant population here. Not caused by predators, but caused by neighbors who moved to the country and shot them even out of season. Finally we are starting to see large numbers again...all from one hen and one rooster. Sure is nice.
ReplyDeleteLinda