I have had huge flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles in my neighborhood (East Hartford) since Tuesday.  They come around several hundred at a time, and may not be the same birds every day.  This morning after I spread some seed around the feeders on the ground, they hurtled down out of the trees and blanketed my yard.  It was quite a sight.  Something--perhaps my local Sharpie--spooked them, and they were gone in a flash.  Indeed a portent of Spring!

Dana Campbell, Missioner, mother-dana@juno.com
The Greater Hartford Regional Ministry

"Oh Lord, how shining and festive is your gift to us, if we only look, and see."  Mary Oliver

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The last few weeks brought  1 red wing and several grackles and about 50 or so robins.  The robins wiped out all the evergreen hollies and crabapples and moved on, leaving the male who stuck it out here all winter not too happy! :))  He tried very hard to defend his food, but couldn't succeed with that many hungry robins The red wing and grackles have stayed.

Today brought a single common redpoll mixed in with 40 or so house finches. Nice surprise this morning to see it.

I have seen the resident red tail pair courting with a spectacular dive and talon drop  and mourning doves copulating. Cardinals, house finch and carolina wren are singing continously regardless of temperatures or weather.  The last several mornings I have woken up to a flicker singing.  The flicker has been here all winter and visits the suet. All the common woodpeckers have been vocalizing and drumming.

If I close my eyes to avoid seeing the snow piling up and just listen, it sure sounds like Spring out there.

Jayne Amico/Southington