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Transition from winter to summer
- To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
- Subject: Transition from winter to summer
- From: rperkins@fayettevillenc.com (Robert C. Perkins)
- Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2000 10:21:41 -0400
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
I've been keeping track of winter birds, trying to record last sighting
dates, and watching for spring/summer birds at the same time.
The yellow-rumped warblers that had been eating my suet all winter were
very visible from March 16 through 20 and then disappeared. Yesterday
(4/7), I spotted some yellow rumps gleaning insects in a hickory in my
yard. The male that I examined through my binoculars was in breeding
plumage. I suspect birds migrating through because they aren't around this
morning.
The juncos that I fed all winter thinned out as March ended. A few were
around from 3/29 through 4/4 and then I saw none until two turned up
yesterday (4/7). I'll keep watching to see if any more come through.
The yellow-bellied sapsucker that was around this winter was very
visible on March 31 and then disappeared. Last spring my latest sighting
was on the Shearon Harris nature trail, 3/29, so the disappearance of the
sapsucker this spring was about on schedule.
I've seen a few spring birds. Yesterday (4/7) I saw chimney swifts
over the house for the first time this year. Today at the King's Grant
golf course, I saw a barn swallow and two b-g gnatcatchers. Also, I
believe the chipping sparrows that began showing up in my yard on a daily
basis on March 31 are summer stock, not left-overs from the winter.
Bob
--------------------------------------------------
Robert C. Perkins, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Methodist College, Fayetteville, NC 28311
910-630-7037 rperkins@methodist.edu