A small ruckus from the dogs had me up at 5:30 this morning. As I let them out the back door to investigate (probably just the farm cats) I noticed hundreds of flies swarming the porch ceiling and lights. The first significant hoard of flying insects this spring. (Oh joy!) So, bring it on ye tree swallows! They have been reported from many reservoirs, ponds and wetlands around Ohio, but I have yet to see any here, and it is past the earliest appearance dates for the species in years past. I have attributed this to the recent cold snap and general lack of flying insect activity. I usually have three or four nesting attempts in my 8 "bluebird" boxes. No Louisiana waterthrushes here yet either, although I have been listening for them daily. Earliest appearance in the past ten years (since our arrival on the property) has been March 31, 2008. Blackbird flocks have been here for most of March, with more red-winged blackbirds in the mix than common in the past, perhaps due to the pond constructed by my Mennonite neighbors across the road. Anyway, the blackbirds and robins have been gleaning the fields, and filling the air with songs, whistles, squeaks, grunts and chatter. I saw a female bluebird perched on box number 8 yesterday; nice. Field sparrows are everywhere appropriate, particularly in the successional 6-acre field I call the "back forty." Meadowlarks are present, but numbers are few. I heard, then saw woodcocks displaying first on March 21, not spectacular numbers (just two or three) but at least they are around. A mockingbird was jumping up and down on the horse pasture fence on April 1. We haven't had our former overwintering mocker since 2008, but all three mimids are expected in season. No thrashers yet. Lots of woodpecker activity: downy, hairy, red-bellied, flicker and pileated. Likewise for the nuthatches, chickadees and titmice. Cardinals are visiting the feeders in considerable numbers, and also singing like real wild birds on territory in the woods and thickets, all the vocal variations in the repertoire. Phoebes are whistling and urging tree drinking. In my many repeating business trips to southern California I encounter their western counterparts (spotted and California) and their respective songs. I prefer the phoebes of home. We'll see what the week brings. I leave again on Friday. Dawn this morning brings stormy skies and howling wind across Flint Ridge. Ah, spring! Bob Evans Geologist, etc. Hopewell Township, Muskingum County ______________________________________________________________________ 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]