ADK Journal

Winged Harbingers of Spring

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

Male Eastern Bluebird

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

their red shoulder patches with a bordering yellow accent. With the judicious use of calls, I have had great success photographing these birds who aggressively defend their breeding niche.

There were years when I would move from a nesting box displayed in an open field to photograph bluebirds and within minutes set up my blind at a bordering marsh for shots of the glossy black Red-wings.

This is also the time of year in the Adirondacks when Bald Eagles return as winter gives way to warmer weather and food and water sources open up again. These opportunists will often descend on the carcass of a dead deer, a natural feeding station, and is where I have had the best opportunity to photograph the species.

If you are feeding birds in your yard, consider doing it all year round. A good friend of mine did this one year and found the number of species he was able to attract greatly expanded.

I’ll close this month’s journal with the final stanza from the poem, “The Bluebirds” by Henry David Thoreau…

The bluebird had come from the distant South To his box in the poplar tree, And he opened wide his slender mouth, On purpose to sing to me.

Gary VanRiper is an author, photographer, and pastor at the Camden Wesleyan Church. He has written 19 children’s books with his son, Justin.

Learn more at: www.adirondackkids.com Young Justin VanRiper at A confident Red-winged BlackMoss Lake. Our annual trip bird fluffs his bright shoulder became a family tradition.patches and calls, Conk-la-ree!

Bald Eagles return to the Adirondacks when food and water sources open up again.

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