Spring migration has started! I always hear the birds before I see them. The first migrant I heard was, of course, a Robin. But, they've been sort of overwintering here in Wisconsin the last few years. So, who knows where they "migrated" from.
The first true migrant I heard was the Bluebird. It always takes my brain a few seconds to process the familiar sound as something I haven't heard in 10 months! The Bluebirds first showed up at the end of March.
Bluebirds were followed by Song Sparrows and Killdeer. The Woodcocks started calling in the fields in the evening the first week in April.
Trumpeter Swans migrated overhead for a few weeks from late March through early April. We'd sometimes hear them at night.
The Phoebes came back on April 10. And on April 11, the first Tree Swallows showed up! Now, I really believe that winter is over.
A Field Sparrow called this morning. I love it's slightly mournful, but beautiful, call.
The White-Throated Sparrows should be showing up any day now.
Often, it's hard to see the birds well enough to identify them. But, their calls are unmistakable.
Get a good CD of bird calls to learn how to "bird by ear." Anything by Lang Elliot is worth every penny.
