Almost Spring

In March and April new birds arrive weekly

A few shore birds have been located. Wilson's snipes and both yellowlegs.

Pelicans are migrating through and both horned (molting, bottom picture) and eared grebes were seen at Wagontrain recreation area.

This is the time we see ducks in all kinds of puddles before they settle into secret nesting areas or move North.  Ring-necked duck, blue-winged teal.

Cormorants are here for weeks or months and then move further North and West for nesting.  Click the picture for bigger view.

March readyness

I have another blog on Bluebirds. This is a borrowed sample from there. See http://pioneersparkbluebirds.blogspot.com/ for the whole blog.

UPDATE ON BLUEBIRD BOXES
There are actual signs of bluebirds around the boxes. First I had a check of the North side and was surprised to see a tree swallow. It was merely flying around. The bluebirds and swallows start to have a conflict with the boxes in April. On the North side there was one box near the Nature Center claimed by house sparrows. I will not do anything with that, I doubt very much any bluebirds will nest in the nearest other box. But it needs monitoring.

On the South side I had a surprise as well. They had done a burn. Boxes 1 and 2 in the burn area:

Near these boxes was one male bluebird. Click the picture to see him in a boxed area.

The detail shows him at the same branch. Further along the bike and walking trail no boxes had burned. The entire prairie was burned. Only 5 killdeer were visiting.

March

With open water in lakes, we get migrating ducks going through here. Buffledheads:

Snow geese and lesser white fronted geese.  A pair of pintails as well.

Red-winged blackbirds have returned. 

Sparrows lingering for a few weeks. Harris's and American Tree sparrows.

Goldfinches get a bit of yellow. Geese are going about claiming nest territory!This pair were honking aggressively, neck bent.

Flocks of waxwings appear on and off, this was about ten. I do not see much of them in summer as they pair up.