Waiting for the sun...

One of our Pileated Woodpeckers returned the other day, to start connecting the dots, apparently.

 Pileated Woodpecker, Colonie

A flock of Wild Turkeys has been living in the small woodlot behind our house for the last few years. Periodically, they make a foray out into civilization and visit our bird feeder area. It is nice to see that all eight poults from last season have survived and grown up.

Wild Turkeys, Colonie

A Common Grackle finally showed up here in our yard on March 9th; this is about ten days later than normal, but not surprising for a short-distance migrant considering recent weather conditions and snow cover. On a trip through Ravena that same day, we saw our first Turkey Vultures of the year, soaring along the small ridge behind R-C-S Senior High School. No sign of Killdeer or American Woodcock yet, their arrival is imminent, though.

What's next:

March 8-14: American Woodcock typically return around the second week of March. Listen for their "peent" call around dusk in open areas adjacent to woodlands. Dabbling ducks, such as Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, and Green-winged Teal, will arrive wherever they can find open water for foraging. Snow Goose, and perhaps other rare geese mixed in with Canada Goose flocks, begin to show up at this time as well. By the end of the period, other returnees would include Red-shouldered Hawk, Tree Swallow, Pied-billed Grebe, and Fox Sparrow. However, given the unrelenting grip winter has applied this year, these species may well be delayed until we thaw out a bit. 

Next week: More ducks, cormorants, and Rusty Blackbirds

Capital Region Bird-finding Calendar is here

TW