After a week's absence, the breeding-plumaged male Dickcissel returned to the
feeders at the house (9 Randolph) yesterday; it was again present this
morning. Spring arrives daily, with breeding-plumaged Laughing Gulls this
week
(first noted by Linda and Jeff Millington), the local pairs of Ospreys just two
days ago, nesting Tree Swallows 6-7 days ago, the first Vesper Sparrow in
months (a week ago at Bay Creek Golf Course by Tom Saunders), and sharp
increases
at Cape Charles beach in Northern Gannet (100s), Brant (10-15), Dunlin
(dozens), Purple Sandpiper (15-20), Sanderling (dozens), Common Loons (dozens),
Red-breasted Mergansers (variably 100s), and Horned Grebes (20-30 per day, some
starting to change plumage). Earlier signs of spring over the past three
weeks
have been singing Pine Warbler (and one bright male at the feeders), Western
Palm Warblers in the town streets catching insects, some with full chestnut
caps, and many patches of singing peepers and chorus frogs, especially in
Accomack
County. The large winter flocks of Wild Turkey have broken up, and gobbling
males can be heard at Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR and around central
Northampton County lately.
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
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