Migration observations...

[Archeryrob]

We have been mobbed with robins in our area. Its like all the northern ones stopped here. They fly south every morning and north as dusk to roost together somewhere. We have less now, but a couple weeks ago I could see a hundred easily from my back patio.

 

[eljefe]

Just saw a grackle at my feeder. I don't recall seeing them in winter before.

 

[mpollan1]

One of three species I shoo off of my feeders. Starlings and cowbirds being the others.

 

[Bountied]

One of three species I shoot off of my feeders. Starlings and cowbirds being the others.

 

[mpollan1]

 

[wilcam47]

Saw bunch of red wing blackbirds Friday. They seem to be here early this year

 

[Mr H]

I saw some robins last Thursday. That's a tad early correct?

We see them year-round, in varying numbers.

But, I think we may be turning the corner on winter.

Woodpeckers are starting to hammer out their territories, GB Herons are getting their breeding plumes, and Nuthatches are getting really 'mouthy'.

 

[TI-tick]

Hummingbirds looking for a nesting spot, or something, on my backyard fence. I have multiple natural feed sources in the front yard.

 

[Mr H]

Nice.

One of my few regrets in life is not having been into birding for the time I lived in CA (3+ years in coastal Mendocino Co, 4+ in 'South Bay' L.A. Co)

 

[Mr H]

Today brought us the year's first Tree Swallow and Chipping Sparrow.

Looks like we've turned the corner.

 

[Mr H]

Peepers have been out for a week-plus, seeing phoebes, a Pine Warbler, and possibly a Tennessee Warbler (unconfirmed).

In short, at least the birds seem to think it's pre-spring.

 

[brianns]

We've had Juncos here all winter.

 

[Mr H]

We've had Juncos here all winter.

Yep... but it looks like they've started heading for the hills.

 

[brianns]

Yep... but it looks like they've started heading for the hills.

Like going back North?

 

[Mr H]

Like going back North?

Some, yes... but I learned that they also summer in the deeper woods in Western MD and along the Blue Ridge.

 

[Mr H]

Osprey sighting this afternoon near Stoney Creek in Pasatucky.

 

[remrug]

Group after group of high flying geese flew through today. Heard a few swans also.

 

[Mr H]

We were over on the ES yesterday, and came across a birding acquaintance who really knows her stuff (see her website www.birding.pictures), who had mentioned she still hadn't seen any Osprey this spring.

After we had checked out some of the nesting sites she monitors, we were checking out another area, and I pointed out the Osprey circling overhead, just above a Bald Eagle doing likewise.

She was like a little kid, she was so happy to see it.

 

[Archeryrob]

I assume Eagles do not migrate? I saw a pair until the end of the year hunting the Antietam while I was out hunting. I know fishing has changed a lot over the years with those eagles working the creek.

 

[Mr H]

I assume Eagles do not migrate? I saw a pair until the end of the year hunting the Antietam while I was out hunting. I know fishing has changed a lot over the years with those eagles working the creek.

AFAIK, not 'migration' per se, but they will relocate for better feeding opportunities in winter (see: Conowingo, Blackwater, etc.).