A Walk in Woods and Fields

I was out walking for about an hour this morning. The weather is very overcast and windy but dry. The temperature is just below 10 degrees Celsius. The wind makes some of the songs a bit difficult to hear but it also keeps the blackflies away.

The fields are green with new grass and have lots of dandelions. I heard several sparrow species. Song sparrows were the most common, followed by savannah sparrows. There were also a number of field and chipping sparrows and I heard at least one clay-coloured sparrow. Also, red-winged blackbirds, brown thrashers and goldfinches were seen and heard. Seagulls flew overhead and a turkey was heard gobbling to the south.

I eventually came to the wood lot on the Mill Creek ravine. The tree leaves are out to varying degrees. Basswood trees already have very large leaves while they are still relatively small on maple trees. Varous ferns are appearing in the woods, most of which have already unfurled beyong the fiddlehead stage. There I heard robins, blue jays, probably a hairy woodpecker, and a grouse drumming. However, the highlight were two rose-breasted grosbeaks singing high up in the maple trees. The colours were difficult to see today because of the weather but their songs were loud and clear. This is a spectacular bird with its black upper parts and brilliant reddish breast.

Finally, after returning through the old orchard, I think I heard an indigo bunting.