Still desperately searching for signs of spring here at 56N 120W. It's been
a long, cold winter. Although warm air has pushed up within a few hours
drive (resulting in 10C/50F temps) we're still suffering through daily high=
s
of -18C...as well as at least 3 ft of snow pack. Supposed to get above
freezing tomorrow, however.
Some birds ignore the temperatures and are responding to the increased day
length - Black-capped Chickadees sing frequently on sunny days; woodpeckers
have been drumming, and the Pine Grosbeaks have started to sing, rather tha=
n
just calling.
David's comment about the hybrid zone of chickadees was interesting. This i=
s
the (only?) contact zone of Mourning and MacGillivray's Wablers and
Townsend's & Black-throated Green Warblers. There are similar questions of
hybrids, song sharing, etc. Researchers from southern BC universities will
be investigating. Of course, those birds won't be back here for another 2
1/2 months!
If I can dust off the MD recorder, I'll try to capture some 'spring' sounds=
.
Mark Phinney
on 3/5/07 11:17 AM, Rich Peet at wrote:
If you are like me you watch spring like a hawk.
This weekend with the clear after the snow we are now getting the mate
calls of Northern Cardinal and Slate-backed Junco.
The homestead yesterday from 45.0 N in MN at
http://home.comcast.net/~richpeet/snow.jpg
Tell us about your state of spring, or fall.
Rich
|
