Spring birds in the winter
The weather is warming, this week, up here in Milwaukee. It may actually get into the forties this week! That may put a temporary hold on my skiing, so my thoughts have turned to birding and, especially, spring birding. Nothing like a January thaw to give a body a case of spring fever, birding style.
Spring is the prime time of year for birdwatching and birding. Birds are migrating and in a hurry to mate and raise their young. In the spring, this means that birds are at their visible best and very active. However, the action actually begins earlier than many people suspect. Whenever the ice goes out on your local lake, for instance, is the time to grab your birding binocular and start searching for waterfowl and gulls. Nothing like a little open water to bring in the birds. In fact, if you can find some open water, even in January, you will find waterfowl and gulls. Last night, right at sundown, the air above the Little Menomonee River near our home was filled with Mallards. I suspect the Mallards had a spot with open water all picked out to roost for the night. To be sure, they were a beautiful sight in my Leica Ultravid binocular and a nice addition to the birds I have been seeing at my bird feeder.
A bird that I have not seen in numbers that I saw in Illinois each winter are Canada Geese. I suspect my new suburban neighborhood is not quite as prime habitat for Canadas as my former suburban neighborhood in Illinois, but I'm sure most homeowners in my current neighborhood are grateful for that. Still, Canadas are gorgeous, as well as, interesting. I confess that I do miss them in the winter. They were fun to watch and no binocular needed. to be sure.
Another large bird that I will be anxious to see, again, come spring, is a Wild Turkey. I have seen three Wild Turkeys, earlier this fall, over in the park. My digital camera and spotting scope are setup for some digiscoping, ready for some pics, when they make another appearance.
C. E. Webster: 3:43 PM )