MARTINS, finally. 1 pair Sunday.
Rhonda and I watched a Mourning Dove building a nest in our spruce
Sunday morning. It was gathering dead thyme runners exclusively. I
thought it was going to break it's neck trying to pull them loose, so I
went out and pull a bunch and left them scattered about. The same path
was taken through the spruce each time it delivered thyme. Another route
was used in returning to the herb bed. When we headed out later, all the
loose ones had been used so I pulled some more. That should be good
smelling nest anyway.
I watched an immature Cooper's chase House Sparrows in the yard
Saturday. He never had any success While I watched, but it wasn't from a
lack of effort. He would rest a moment then flush them from the wild
rose bush and chase them about; rest and then go at it again. Maybe a
half dozen times while I watched. He can have them all far as I am
concerned.
Again, no new migrants to report at Raven Run. There was plenty of
singing going on, but no early arrivals. A pair of sapsuckers and a
Hermit Thrush were packing points north. The wild flowers were the best
I have ever seen. A carpet of Blue-eyed Mary's, the most phlox I have
ever seen there, and the biggest larkspur. Other flowers but not all
included Dutchman's Britches, Jacob's ladder, Bluebells, False Rue
Anemone, yellow violets, and Wood Poppies.
Scott
Lexington
