As our long winter begins to melt into spring it is a pleasure to see our feathered friends begin to return from warmer climates.  Yesterday’s (March 24/09) spring snow storm brought home the robins.  Although robins are famous for heralding the arrival of spring, our red-winged blackbirds also are an early arrival.  Our red-winged blackbirds arrived on the tail of yesterday’s storm; they arrive every year and live here in our marsh.  They are such a pleasure to see flying around the marsh clinging to the cattails and to hear their distinct song.  Today the birds were busy feeding, the robins love the clusters of fuzzy seeds on the sumac trees and they are a beehive of activity among the branches.

The red-winged blackbirds however were happy to feast on sunflower seeds from the feeders.

Our marsh is a natural wonderland and habitat to many different birds.  A large number of pheasants nest here year around.  Their loud cackle heard as they flush from the marsh to soar over the fields in search of food.  The hens are often seen leading their broods through the protective undergrowth out of sight from the hawks which patrol the skies.  

Blue herons make periodic visits to the marsh to find frogs and small fish that live in the brook running through the marsh.  As the sun sets you will hear the voice of the snipe and in early evening the sound of the whippoorwill along with the peepers. 

The coo of the morning doves and the chirp of the chickadee are common everyday sounds that fill the air.

Our feeders host many birds from the common blue jays to the cedar waxwing.  We have nuthatches, downy and hairy woodpeckers, American goldfinch, purple finch, pine siskin, juncos, starlings, crows, morning doves, pine and rose-breasted grosbeak and sparrows. 

When the days begin to grow warmer the barn swallows return and nest.  They usually have two broods a year.  I love watching them glide through the air catching bugs and swooping in and out of the barn doors feeding their young. Of course, nothing would be complete without the tiny hummingbirds as they feed upon the flowers and from the feeders which I hang, their iridescent feathers shimmering in the sun.

To hear the songs of some of these wonderful birds; click on the web address below.

Welcome to Learn Bird Songs!

We have protected this green space in order to give wildlife a safe haven to thrive in.  It is also home to many muskrats, foxes and the occasional deer.  The red-tailed hawk is a common visitor soaring high in the sky over the fields in search of mice and small rodents.  The bald headed eagle is also seen here with its majestic wing span hovering above the trees.  The property is a birders paradise.

The brook which runs through the property is spring feed from beyond our borders and continues through to the Cornwallis River.  This brook provides wetlands for the many creatures that abound; the migratory ducks and geese who fly over on their migratory journey south both in the spring and again on their return in the fall.  This area provides food, shelter and protection for wildlife.

I cherish everyday that I can look out and see the birds and hear their lovely music.