Could spring be near?
Rumor has it that spring temperatures will be around for this next week and there have been many signs that just maybe spring is finally starting to get close. Yesterday I heard one of those familiar signs during my walk around Red House Lake!!
CHECK!! First of the year!! Red-winged Blackbirds are finally back and it shouldn’t be too long before other birds start returning. CHECK!! The Chipmunk was the next species found for the first time this year!! It was soo cute, I first saw him peaking out from its hole and enjoying the sun. Just as I pulled out my camera he turned around and disappeared after seeing me. I then continued to walk around the lake and heard something flying overhead.
Tundra Swans were only specks with my binoculars but I was lucky familiar with their call. The Swans were first heard moving across the sky during my lunch break on the 1st of March but this would be my second sighting of the year. It should be a matter of time till they move through in larger numbers across the Allegany State Park skies.
I tried but was unsuccessful in locating any of our local American Woodcock. I don’t blame them for not returning yet since there is a few feet of snow on the ground. I will try again here soon to see if they have returned yet. Tomorrow will be a perfect for an all day birding adventure. I only hope I can get up after changing the clocks ahead an hour.
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
Wow, your deer photos are awesome, especially the first one! Ohhh, it’s so nice to hear the Red Winged Blackbird again! Hmmm, how to add just sound to your blog? Great photos and great sounds!
Argh, don’t remind me we lose an hour – it makes me grumpy to lose an hour over a precious weekend. Take it out of the middle of the workday and I’d be jumping for joy!!!
10 March 2007 at 4:02 pm
RWBBs are making quite a racket around these parts as well – spring is well on its way!
Wishing you a successful and varied birdy day tomorrow.
10 March 2007 at 7:24 pm
@ Nature Woman – thanks and the deer were not into running like normal! So, I took the oportunity to take their picture!
@ Adam – I sure hope spring its on its way! Thanks, should be a good day! Birds should be following the front that just come through!
10 March 2007 at 8:32 pm
There were swans on the ice on Chautauqua Lake today, but to hear them too, is wonderful! Wonder – FULL.
Happy spring to you too. And have a great birding day.
10 March 2007 at 8:33 pm
The one thing that I am looking forward to the most this Spring is seeing and hearing woodcocks. I have never seen one!
There are quite a few good spots for them to do their thing, so I should be able to get my wish.
Birdy day tomorrow!
10 March 2007 at 11:47 pm
I loved this multi media event here on your blog. The deer are beautiful.
11 March 2007 at 8:59 am
@ Linda, thanks and I so hope to see some today! Thanks for visiting!!
@ Susan – they are soo much fun to find! I wish our snow was gone or they would be here by now! Get out to the wet meadows and go looking! Kids would love it!
@ Barb – thanks, I am sure trying to make it more of a feeling! Just need to work on my writing to improve my smells in here! That is hard to do through 1’s and 0’s!
11 March 2007 at 9:05 am
Waaah! I wanna red-winged blackbird! I think up here in Minnesnowta we’re the last to get EVERYTHING!!
Right now I’m listening to a robin in the back yard (first for this year) and yesterday there was a mourning dove out back (another first for the year).
11 March 2007 at 10:20 am
Mon@rch, I already comment on Flickr how lovely that first deer photo is… All of your photos are just wonderful. Deer have such sweet expressions. One of these days, I’ll find one and hopefully, my camera will be with me.
11 March 2007 at 7:49 pm
@ Lynne – thanks and they are moving in numbers! Hope you get a Red-winged Blackbird here soon! I saw a ton of Robins today!
@ Mary – thanks and I did see your great comment! They are very common here and even got a video of one today! Will upload here sometime this week.
11 March 2007 at 8:53 pm
Redwinged blackbirds used to be one of the first signs of spring in NJ. Apparently in the last 15 years or so they’ve extended their range and some winter here. I still consider them a sign of spring though, especially when I hear their calls. Enjoyed your post.
12 March 2007 at 8:40 am
Laura – I think many birds have been doing that but lucky they are still great signs here in WNY! I very much loved hearing their song all day today! Thanks!
12 March 2007 at 11:25 pm