To stay sane during a busy week at work, I had to take some time this morning and see what was moving through the yard (old DeLorme 70 D2). Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped warblers were the most common species with at least 5 of each. One of the Ruby-crowneds was singing his little heart out, twitching all over the place, displaying his ruby crown. Ovenbirds and Yellow warblers are back on territory - they were not here yesterday. Also first Chimney swift of the yard for the spring. Last week I took some time to stare off into high space and found some high-altitude migrants - 13 Black vultures not beating a wing but quickly en route from Northeast to Southwest. These birds were in a pretty tight formation and it was pretty cool to see them covering so much airspace with little effort, wings tucked back - they were cruising. Also, high up in the air the next day with winds out of the south- at least 4,000 feet I found two Osprey, 43 Turkey vultures, 2
Red-shouldered Hawks, and 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks (not as high, but still up there). This all occured in less than an hour or so - so with the southerly winds its a good idea to look high up, sort out the floaters in your eyes, and see what else is around. No Wood thrush or White-eyed/Red Eyed Vireos yet - which also make territory within earshot of the house. Our resident Tree swallows arrived back in the yard today, only to find their favorite cavity occupied by a pair of Bluebirds - it was dramatic.
Glen Crippen
Burr Oak Lake
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