After the amazing day yesterday, I feel like it's safe to say that it really is spring! The evidence is all here--wildflowers coming up in the woods, lots of folks in sandals and shorts, the last snow piles have finally melted (even at my house), spring peepers are peeping, and the migratory birds are coming back. Hooray for the change in seasons!
The return of the birds is what I've really been noticing lately, especially in the morning as I hear more and more songs outside my windows. In the next week or so, many of the warblers should be returning, and by mid- to late-May cedar waxwings, one of my favorites, should be back as well. There's a certain area near my house where you can often see cedar waxwings; as I've stood there watching them in the past, I've confused a lot of drivers who pass me, obviously wondering what it is I'm looking at.
If you're interested in the return of the birds, too, you should check out the website that I just learned of. It's got a list of estimated arrival times of Vermont's birds, and is really great! Check it out at madbirders.org/2009/03/25/vermont-spring-bird-arrival-schedule/
Don't forget to report on the returning birds that you see, or on any other South Burlington wildlife! Simply comment on this posting to tell me about what you've seen in South Burlington, and where. I want to hear about warblers or frogs or mice...whatever you've seen! Check out my first post, called "Let the Fun Begin" for more info!
OMG! I had two amazing wildlife sightings this morning walking around the Leduc lands (on the Shelburne side, but close enough, right?). The first was of a white-tailed deer in a field between Cheesefactory Road and Shelburne Pond (btwn Dorset St & Hinesburg Rd) -- what a tail!! Easily 8 inches and SUPER white. The second sighting stopped my heart for a second. It was of a large snapper turtle, maybe 200 yards or so west of where I saw the deer, along a small meandering stream which I'm guessing is the west branch of the Seeley Brook. I almost stepped on him (or her?) by mistake! He really scared me for a couple seconds there before I remembered he was a turtle and I could easily out-run him if I felt so moved, then I got more confident and used my cell phone to snap a picture of him. :) Awesome morning!
ReplyDeletePS: i didn't even realize my sweet pun.. hehe here's a picture of the snapper: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7415656@N03/3492003902/
ReplyDeleteWe've seen 3 beaver is the past 3 weeks - on Williston Road at the bottom of the hill just before Earthy Cars, on Airport Parkway across the street from the end of the runway, and on Patchen Road near the bridge that goes over the Interstate. I hope this helps your research.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, we saw a hummingbird on Deane Street on Saturday and our neighbors have a lot of goldfinches at their feeder.
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