Spring migrants

[Steve Foss]

It's definitely spring up here in the bird world.

Our spring migrant and resident waterfowl species have shown up. Been here a couple weeks.

We've had juncos for a week, and same with robins, starlings and grackles. The evening grosbeaks came back to the feeders this weekend after a monthlong absence, and they are paired up now. We still have some winter birds such as redpolls, but this morning we got our first wave of migrant sparrows. There were two tree sparrows and a handful of fox sparrows at the feeder. Next will be Harris, white-throated, white-crowned and chipping sparrows, and then we'll get the thrushes and, finally, the warblers. Last year we had a pair of catbirds and a pair of yellow warblers nesting in the thick lilac hedge, the tangled elderberry shrubs and the brush in the back yard. Such sweet singers both species are.

Ahhh, spring.

I reckon you folks down south already have a bunch of birds we don't. Happy birding.

[mplspug]

I've been lucky enough to have a Harris's sparrow spending the last few days on a lay over. What a neat sparrow. Bigger than a normal sparrow and I like watching him scratch the ground for food. He's easily the most tame of all my visitors (Feeder a couple of feet from my basement apartment window). Today he spotted a catapillar inching across the side walk. He darted over and snared it. I'll be bummed when he decides to move on.

I have also had a white-throated sparrow at the feeder and a couple other smaller sparrows I didn't identify. One may have just been a female white throat. I have to get a birds of Minnesota book. My girlfriend has one and it makes life easier than trying to find it on the Cornell HSOforum.

I didn't expect to get these deep into birding, but I have to give the birds credit for that. I was hoping for just finches, chicadees (MY Fav)and other more common birds.

[buzzsaw]

Within a three minute span in my backyard this afternoon I saw an Oriole, Piliated WP, A dozen or so Goldfinches, my first Ruby Throated Hummingbird of the season and many of the usual suspects ie... Cardinals, White Throated Sparrows, Bluebirds etc... I was like Spring is here!

[mplspug]

Someone has a birding hotspot! Man, I am jealous. I am wondering if I can get an Oriole to the yard. There are plenty of large shade trees on my block, but I am not sure if there is enough. Growing up, we had a pair build a hanging nest in our maple in the front yard. It was in plain view too. Very cool. I was also fortunate to witness 2 males fighting with locked legs about 5 ft from me

[jonny_redhorse]

you guys must live in birding heaven! ...most of the birds you guys mentioned ,I've never seen....but I did see my nesting pair of migrating "greater yellowlegs " again this morning....apparently they've set up camp here....here's this mornings photo......of course they never let you get closer then 75-100 feet before they go screaming off!...lol!....... jonny

[buzzsaw]

I'll be posting pics soon, the Orioles are really back in good numbers and are at the Grape Jelly feeder often! The Hummingbirds aren't back in full force yet, give them a week. I saw two Rose breasted Grosebeaks today (probably the same one) and a few different warblers (mustard yellow w/maroon colored top of head & yellow rumped) and our first Grey catbird visited today as well.

[mplspug]

I saw a yellow warbler, oriole and wren in a park in Richfield today.

[Dotch]

First hummingbird showed up this AM, a male.