Spring has arrived in the Upper Connecticut River Valley. That doesn’t mean we’re done with winter, just that you can’t expect seasons in Vermont to progress in a logical order. With water thawing, I stirred from my hibernation and ventured out around the area to see who was out and about. Signs that spring has arrive that I found included a kingfisher, a great blue heron and – definitive proof – a painted turtle basking.
We planted some azaleas back in 2014. They were promptly claimed by a song sparrow for his summer palace. A song sparrow has returned to claim them every year. (We hope it is the same one, enjoying a long life) On schedule, he appeared on April 4. He’s been busy telling the world that he’s claimed the side yard from the deck to the neighbor’s driveway, including rights to visit the feeders to the south. This red-tailed hawk was watching over a field in Newbury, hoping for a meal. Across the river in the Bedell Bridge State Park, this red squirrel was busy licking sap off a tree. Sap is high in sugar and provides a quick energy drink. Here’s a clear view of her licking the sap. Sunday afternoon, I launched the kayak in the Waits River. An eagle sat in a tree watching a pair of hooded mergansers for a time. He eventually took off and made a half-hearted dive at them before heading off down the Connecticut. The geese were out in force. Several of them spent much of the afternoon objecting. To what they were objecting was clear only to the geese.This goose really put some work into honking. One pair hasn’t wasted any time, they’re already sitting on their nest. Shortly after the adult eagle departed, an immature eagle flew in and sat watching the marsh. Several flights of ducks arrived, but didn’t stay long. I suspect they spotted the eagle. Or me. For all they knew, I may have been in cahoots with the eagle. A pair of American wigeon flew in and stayed just a couple of minutes.
Our male red-winged blackbirds have been back for about two weeks. I haven’t seen any females yet. But, this handsome guy wanted to be first in line when they do arrive. There aren’t many reeds in the marsh yet, but he’s claimed a leftover from last year to announce he’s claimed his territory. And, positive proof that spring has arrived, a chorus of peepers serenaded this painted turtle while he basked.
