Tag Archives: bird migration

Sing Blackbird Sing

Last month I posted about migrating flocks of grackles and blackbirds. Hundreds of them landed, turning the lawn from green to black as they hungrily searched for seeds between grass blades. When they flew away, a solitary blackbird still lay … Continue reading

Posted in Birding, Nature | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Blackbird Migration

It is mid-February after the coldest weeks I can remember in south-east Virginia. Our summer visitors are still wintering in balmier latitudes; they won’t fly north for another month, but some locals are on the move.A cloud of Common Grackles … Continue reading

Posted in Birding, Nature | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Check BirdCast for Migration

There’s a White-eyed Vireo still singing in the garden and two Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds still visiting our nectar feeder. They will soon be on their way, flying overnight with millions of other summer visitors observing the shorter days and cooler temperatures.Last … Continue reading

Posted in Birding, Nature | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Wings in the Night

My electronic calendar reminds me it is the autumnal equinox and the first day of another season. Wildlife has its own calendars and clocks. The hummingbirds who pay hourly visits to our feeders didn’t turn up today. I saw only … Continue reading

Posted in Birding | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

First swallow of spring

On the last day of winter, I saw my first Tree Swallow of the year. It flew beside the James River in the direction of Jamestown Island. Sociable birds with an iridescent sheen that babble and chatter all day, these … Continue reading

Posted in Birding | Tagged , | 1 Comment