[Birdtalk] Spring Is Happening

[Linda s Butler]

Ah yes, the joys of Spring. The world is awakening. Just this morning my
Jr. High age daughter came upstairs saying "It's nice to hear birds in
the morning." And it is nice to awaken to the sound of those early birds.
We finally enjoy the slightest hint of daylight as we rise. (Until
Sunday... and then not again for another month.)
A pair of blue jays has returned. I recall someone on the list being
interested in blue jay behavior over the winter. I had a pair that hung
around quite far into the winter (sometimes they stay all winter) here in
Pleasant Grove. I'd been putting peanuts out again for about two weeks,
finally on Tuesday morning the jays were here, chortling their
discoveries in their raucous jay voices. They seemed very bold for
"newcomers." Yesterday I spent about 20 minutes outside with them and had
one of them take peanuts, twice, from my hand! Today one bird again took
a peanut from my hand! They're also enjoying the cracked corn that I put
out for quail and pheasants. The jays' behavior is fascinating. The
braver of the two "hides" the nuts, then the other one often comes and
steals it while the first is coming for another nut. Sometimes they
skirmish over a nut, but for all their boldness and brashness, they're
not particularly agressive with each other. You can tell, too, that
they're both highly intelligent and opinionated! They manage to scare off
most of the little birds, except the chickadees, who are small but tough.
Birdfeeders--the best free nature shows in town!
Linda Butler

On Thu, 8 Mar 2007 12:13:11 -0700 "MarJean Muhlestein"
<wingsnwind at msn.com> writes:
Oh, the Joys of Spring: Isn't it a nice mix with winter birds still here,
and spring birds arriving. The Rough-legged Hawk is still on his post
down Glover Lane, along with many waterfowl. Canvasback mixed in with
Redhead's. I also spotted two groups of Killdeer back at the Bay near the
maintenance buildings. I have not noticed any staying through the winter,
even though the guide books say they do. It was so wonderful to hear
their calls. As always, welcome back! 
The Killdeer was my "hook" bird back in the 1970's when eggs were laid
and hatched in our Idaho potato field. 

"Oh the Joy of Birding"
MarJean Muhlestein
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