Terry and I were surprised this morning around 7:30 to hear some sharp notes
from a bird in the woods behind our house. We immediately thought of a
Louisiana Waterthrush but it seemed a little early. Terry went to get his
binoculars and by the time he got them and was ready to start looking for the
bird, it sang some to confirm its identity. Terry walked out into the woods a
short distance and was able to get a look at the bird just to be sure.
For several years now we've had a Louisiana Waterthrush to come onto our
property to feed, usually in the early morning. We assume it follows drainage
ditches up into our property from the creek wherever it nests. There are a lot
of very wet areas in the woods behind our house this time of year and there is
a small sewage lagoon back in the woods also.
So I wonder if anyone else in the northern half of the state will find an early
Louisiana Waterthrush today? Has anyone seen or heard one in the coastal
counties yet? I bet ours is not the only one early this year.
Most springs the Black-and-White Warblers are the earliest nesting migrant
returnees we have on our property, but so far we haven't even heard one.
Happy spring birding to everyone,
Marion Schiefer, Starkville area
