Mohawk Valley Living #88 March 2021

Page 9

adirondack journal

Winged Harbingers of Spring

March is the time to plan and place Eastern Bluebird nesting boxes as couples start scoping out possible nesting sites

Story and Photos by Gary VanRiper

If you have been feeding birds all winter, the time is drawing near when you may see additional species show up. Migrants returning to northern breeding grounds are well on their way. And while the first to arrive may not be among those who stop by for a bite to eat, several are traditionally known as the “harbingers of spring.” The Eastern Bluebird, males of the species, will be winging to northern breeding grounds by mid-March for possible sites to nest. Female bluebirds will soon follow and have the final say in the matter! The male bluebird’s breeding plumage is spectacular. The American poet and essayist Henry David Thoreau wrote a book entitled, The Bluebird Carries the Sun on His Back. And it has been said that once you do see a Bluebird, you will never call a Blue Jay “blue” anymore! It’s not too late to build and set up nesting boxes, but you do have to hurry now. You can find plans on-line at the Audubon site (https:// www.audubon.org/news/how-build-bluebird-nest-box). And while you’re there, you will find plans for Wood Duck and Screech Owl boxes as well. Perhaps less romantic, another migrant that is an early sign of spring is the Red-winged Blackbird. Males are easily identified by

Male Eastern Bluebird

Another early sign of spring is the arrival of the Red-winged Blackbird

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