...Singing in the Dead of Night....

I seem to recall odd song lyrics at odd times...

And alas, I don't recall what bird was singing in the dead of night, either.  But one of my favorite things about spring is bird watching in my yard.  I don't see many exotic species here.  We have resident mourning doves,  nuthatches, chickadees, blue jays, and cardinals year round.  I am always happy to see them.

I rejoice when the hummingbirds return in the spring.  This year I saw them earlier than I ever have.  Since I try to keep track I know this.  This year it was May 12th, and last year, May 20th.

But this year I have a favorite, nesting in the maple tree on the lot line.  It isn't a beautiful bird to look at, but I love to hear it.  It is a catbird.

I can't quite figure out how to get the picture to show up here.  But you may check here to see one.

My catbird is an excellent mimic and sits up there singing everyone's song for long periods at a time. To me, it is delightful because I don't have to be peering out the window, I can just open it and listen.

A lesser delight is a blackbird family nesting this year in the sagging soffits of the neighbor's garage.  They had nested there before and one owner who lived there made good repairs and the blackbirds had to find new spots that year.  But, sad to say, they have returned and they are noisy neighbors.

That's all the news from my yard for today.  I do have some activity though.  I bought bagged soil to fill my planters and shortly I will go and buy flowers, plant them, and say a little "Chipmunk Discouragement" rhyme.  Wish me success.

See you soon.  Leave a comment!