Yesterday when going to get the paper Paul reported a Hermit Thrush on the drive, finding insects in the chilly AM. So I went out to see it, and there it was! I also heard MANY Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the trees overhead, and one came close enough to show us his ruby crest! The Sandhill Cranes are calling and flying overhead frequently on their journeys from nesting sites at Carlos Avery, no doubt finding leftover corn in the fields around here, and several times they have been seen and heard (wow, they are loud up close!) searching for frogs and other goodies in the marsh behind our house. I am feeding a new flock of Juncos, the small winter flock that included the Oregon pink-sided male has departed, all of these are dark-eyed males at this point. Several pairs of Purple Finches have been here for a few weeks, had Fox Sparrows last week, Wood Ducks are hopefully using their traditional nesting sites in our oaks, but I'm not sure they've found the newer houses we put up last year yet. The bluebirds have been back and singing in the area for a couple of weeks already!
Last week I saw some Red-tailed Hawks' courtship behavior in the marsh behind my house. The female was perched on a limb visible from my window as I worked on the next issue of "Minnesota Birding." A male flew up, edged close to her, and gave her the mouse or other small food item in his talons. She looked at it and then began to eat it. He moved slightly away from her, sat there for a few minutes, then flew off to the other side of the marsh, hopefully to find his own lunch. I have not heard the Red-shouldered Hawks yet, but usually in summer we host Red-shouldered, Red-tailed, and Broad-winged right near our house, and nearby a Cooper's Hawk also. I hope they all come back this year! Holly Peirson Columbus Twnshp, SE Anoka Co.
