Yesterday afternoon I was finishing up the late "mid-day" meal. I caught the sight of a hummingbird lifting off from the feeder, the first of the season. I didn't see another yesterday, but this morning Jane reported seeing one while preparing breakfast. Then we both saw two. All so far have been males. My previous reports have failed to include the first of season house wren, heard Saturday (4/23.) There are more of them around now, with three heard during this morning's walk. Interestingly, I am not hearing any Carolina wrens, which is usually a fairly common local species. I saw a winter wren, an unusual spring observation, down in the deepest ravine at the "Falls" last Friday. The sparrow mix this year is a little different. It seems that chipping sparrows are everywhere. They must have had a good breeding season last year. Lots of field sparrows as well, with a few song sparrows around, but perhaps not as abundant as in years past. Interesting, the ebb and flow of the species from year to year. This morning a host of white-throated sparrows were giving their reports about Mr. Peabody. The Louisiana waterthrush was singing incessantly, and beautifully from somewhere below the "Falls." The year-round forest residents are all doing well this year. Cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, all are thriving if the dawn chorus is any indication. I have got to get up and get out there some early morning this week, if I can chase away some other responsibilities, and find the energy. Bob Evans Geologist, etc. Hopewell Township, Muskingum Co. ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]