Thursday evening's woodcocks' displays reminded me that spring is truly
coming, in spite of several morning lows in the 20s.

At least two phoebes have been singing up a storm on the property, both
down in the hollow by the "tree house" and along the south line near the
Ebe's cattle.

A mockingbird has been singing just south of the house for several days
now, and doing his displays jumping up and down from the top branches of
the scraggly trees along the road.

Lots of drumming, calling, and assorted amorous behavior from our five
regular woodpecker species: downy, hairy, red-bellied, flicker, pileated.

No sign of Louisiana waterthrush here in the farm's hollows yet. I expect
them any day now. My earliest ever here was March 31, in 2010.

Last night's walk at dusk to the top of the hill scared up a pair of
killdeer from the former horse arena area.

On Tuesday, 4/2 around 10:30 AM, I drove across the bridge at Dillon Falls,
and I was treated to the sight of a couple hundred swallows, mostly tree
swallows, swarming around the rushing waters. Dillon Falls is a rapids on
the Licking River, where the stream descends across the Upper Mercer
Limestone, just upstream from Zanesville. The arrival of swallows at the
Dillon Falls usually precedes tree swallows at our upland farm by about a
week. I suspect cold dry conditions have suppressed major emergence of
insects on the uplands. Last night's lows in the 50s may bring them out,
and encourage the swallows to come on up to the hills.

Last night's walk at dusk to the top of the hill scared up a pair of
killdeer from the former horse arena area.

Bluebirds are singing all over the place, joining all the other regular
residents in song. I have been chasing the dreaded house sparrows out of
their intended nest boxes, trying to save the houses for the bluebirds and
tree sparrows. Maybe time to get out the Van Ert traps.

Grass continues to emerge, raising the spirits and activities of the sheep,
goats and horses.

Bob Evans
Geologist, etc.
Valhalla Acres Fiber Farm
Hopewell Township, Muskingum County

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