Breeding underway?

["David Geering"<>]

There was mention recently of magpies gearing-up to breed and lapwings on
eggs (always notoriously early breeders - I remember them almost being iced
to the nest in Armidale).

Yesterday morning, while walking through Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne, I
saw a Little Raven carrying what I thought at the time could have been
nesting material.  This was confirmed in the afternoon when I saw both
members of the pair busily nest building.  They were at it again this
morning.  Also this morning was a Song Thrush in full voice, a first for me
(the song, not the thrush - saw my first one in January!).

Are these signs that the end of my first Melbourne winter is in sight.  I
can only hope so.

(A rather cold) David Geering