Singing Junco
Snowbirds
What does spring mean to you??? . . . . when do you consider it the first day of spring??? Allegany Tom says “six more weeks of winter” . . . . threecollie brings up a good point “You know we will always have six more weeks up here”! Very true my friend! Another good friend of mine believes that Groundhogs Day should be the first day of spring . . . . why?? . . . it is when you start to notice the birds behaving differently!
Dark-eyed Junco
I heard something while eating lunch today that I have not heard in a long time . . . . a Dark-eyed Junco singing!! He did it only once and not sure if this is a true sign of spring!! Below is a video of a Dark-eyed Junco singing from my Behavior and Vocalization post!
I anticipate it being only a matter of time till the Cardinals start saying “Birdy, Birdy, Birdy”, the Chickadees saying “Cheese-bur-ger” or we hear the high pitch of the Brown Creeper “see-see-see-sisi-see”. These are even more signs that spring is near and why spring is one of the best times of the year! Ok . . . maybe I am just sick of winter and looking for a reason to wish for spring to be here NOW!
Like the puppies who find snow for the first time!
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The Cardinals and Titmouse have already been singing. Today was the first time I heard a Song Sparrow sing in our garden. Yep, Spring is trying to sneak in here but ole Man Winter won’t allow it.
2 February 2009 at 9:53 pm
Thank you for commenting on my blog…
I must pay more attention to the many dark eyed juncos I have…and their song. I have never heard them! I enjoyed your photos and the video of them singing.
2 February 2009 at 10:32 pm
Thank you for posting this! I’ve had dark-eyed juncos at my feeders all winter and could not distinguish their call from the rest of the birds. They’re never alone here… chickadees, nuthatches, sparrows… they seem to feed together at about the same time of day, everyday! Thanks again.
2 February 2009 at 10:37 pm
@ Lisa – I can’t wait for my birdies to start singing in my area!
@ Jane – No worries . . . Thanks for your kind words and they are fun birds for sure!
@ Pinar – Glad you enjoyed and lets hope this is a sign of spring! Its only time till you start hearing them!
2 February 2009 at 11:08 pm
There is always a mild morning, toward the end of February, when the air feels different and I hear Red-winged Blackbirds.
2 February 2009 at 11:53 pm
The last photo does look like he was playing in the snow. We were out at the peninsula last Sunday and stopped to look for anything moving and there was deafening silence. No birds out there that we could see. We did see one sparrow on the way in. I can’t wait for the beautiful sounds of the warblers when they arrive. I’m really sick of winter.
3 February 2009 at 12:58 am
Your post has lifted my spirits that yes, despite what the groundhog says, spring is another day closer.
I have about 15 juncos in my yard all day so I will be sure to listen for its song now that I know what it sounds like.
3 February 2009 at 5:53 am
The other day I went for a walk around my neighborhood and I could see trees starting to swell. And lately yes on occasion I have heard some singing. It gives us all hope. 🙂
3 February 2009 at 6:56 am
I heard a cardinal singing “what cheer” last Sunday morning and there was also a house finch in the backyard singing his crazy head off! I don’t realize how much I miss hearing birds sing in the winter until spring arrives…..I’m wishing too!
3 February 2009 at 10:32 am
The best part of spring is when you can open the windows and let the birdsongs in. Their cheerful chittering and melodies are the most joyous sounds. Love your video.
3 February 2009 at 12:54 pm
Hi Mon@rch – I’ve only just discovered your blog, and am enjoying it tremendously! Your pictures are very good – and the juncos were fun to watch. I’m from Alberta, Canada, and we have many of the same bird species that you have in NY. We have the Eastern Blue Jay, and dark-eyed juncos – fiesty little brutes they are – and of course the chickadees. Our bird feeder drew at least 24 different varieties of bird (and some mammals this year!) last year. I’ll be watching your blog!
3 February 2009 at 2:29 pm
I enjoyed the backlink to the Junco videos-very educational.-I don’t think I’ve ever noticed a Junco singing.-I’m going to be looking for it now when spring gets closer.
3 February 2009 at 8:09 pm
The tufted titmice who come to my little feeder like to sing (to me?) each time they visit. Their cheer is infectious =)
3 February 2009 at 8:45 pm
Yep, I’ve been hearing little songs here and there! See the Bald Eagles courting …the male catching a nice duck for his woman to eat while he patiently guarded – they’ll be in the nest before you know it incubating eggs! But for me…spring is here when my bluebirds sit outside and wait for me to bring mealworms – usually on a sunny February or early March day! The junco actually means winter to me – because they come just before we get our first snow 😉
3 February 2009 at 9:05 pm
They have been vocal lately! I’ve been noticing Bluebirds checking out the nesting boxes on campus, and the Cardinals are slightly louder… Now’s the time to start watching!
Great photos. I always enjoy your videos.
Mary
3 February 2009 at 9:47 pm
“Ok . . . maybe I am just sick of winter and looking for a reason to wish for spring to be here NOW!”
Actually I could have not said it better myself… to be honest I’ll dig up signs just because I’m ready! ;o)
3 February 2009 at 11:24 pm
I am always delighted the first time the chickadees change to their summer call…and the first white-throated sparrow!
4 February 2009 at 6:52 am
I have been hearing the Carolina Wrens more than usual. I probably should stay outside long enough to hear more but I rush out to put seed in the feeders and rush back in–not much time there. One thing about this area, we get spring-like days thru the winter which helps a lot.
4 February 2009 at 8:47 am
Beautiful image and subject Tom, I can’t wait fro spring as well !!
4 February 2009 at 1:25 pm
I heard a cardy singing on Friday morning
but yeah it’s always six more weeks!
(if not more!)
10 February 2009 at 7:41 pm