Bluebirds are coming back here too - no geese yet though.... Every year on my birthday, my mom tells the story about the day I was born. My parents were on the way to the hospital, and my dad was goofing around and pulled over to the side of the road to point out a field full of geese. Of course my mom was in labor at that point and needless to say, she wasn't amused. Ever since I can remember, I've always seen the geese returning on my birthday. This is the first time in 36 years that I didn't see any.
It is good to hear about spring birds returning. Not much here yet. Starlings have shown up but that's all so far. I expected several types to show this week but so far it is a bust.
What? Barn swallows are excellent acrobats and a lot of fun to watch. I'm looking forward to them following me while I cut grass and eat up all the bugs in my wake. It's amazing how close to me the fly before they turn away. Their nests can sometimes be a nuisance, but I don't mind.
They build mud nests on my house, 100's of nests, so it gets pretty dirty. They can also have mites in the nests, don't want that near my home That said last summer we got most of them to move to pole barn, and yes, they are a blast to watch! Plus living near a lake, I like them for the gnat hatches
I believe barn swallow numbers are declining. The barred owls and pileated woodpeckers have been quite active the last few weeks, as well as red headed woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and phoebes. Three days ago the crows arrived. They are so noisy. Seems like there is no peace any more. We still have several feet of snow, freezing at night., Tomorrow, freezing during the day as well, and snow called for on Saturday. That said, things are melting at a great rate. No snow left on the roof, water has been pouring off it because of how deep the snow was. Because of the thaws during the days and freezing nights, the woods are really hard to walk in now. WHere before you trudged through powder, now you go in almost to the hip, through layers of snow and light ice. Have to pick the leg almost straight up to take the next step. Can't wait until the height diminishes by about half. There is a lot of work to do in the woods, and I'd like to get at least some of it done before the ticks are active. With the days as bright and sunny as they have been, I've been expected to see mourning cloaks any day. Anyone seen any yet? Lighting one fire a day, in the evening. Enough coals from the previous nights fire to start the new fire. It was 78 in here last night: way too hot. Got down to 66 before the sun started heating things again. Will light a fire again about 9 PM, 2-4 inch rounds from my shoulder season wood. Unless we get an unexpected cold spell, doesn't look as if I will burn two full cords from my stacks this year. Did use a lot of shoulder season stuff early, until almost Christmas.
Wow, thanks for the descriptive! I enjoyed that walk around your place with you...! I looked up Mourning Cloak, do you really see butterflies this time of year? I live considerably south, and we don't see butterflies until nearly May.
Yes, the mourning cloaks become active as soon as the days warm, long before the snow is gone. They overwinter . And are a warm and wonderful harbinger of Spring, as they flutter low to the ground on their velvety brown wings. Several weeks after they become active, once the snow is gone, large numbers of pearly eyes are to be found in the trees along the edges of the drive. By early May we have the admirals, some swallowtails, and lots of moths. The lunar moth, usually first of the silk moths to appear, usually puts in a showing by Victoria Day (Memorial Day weekend). I'll try to post sightings of butterflies as the season progresses. However, usually by then I am spending so much time outdoors that I spend little time on the computer.... I envy you your bluebirds. We are too wooded to have any, although there are some nearby, along the farmers fields. If you have any freshly cut sugar maple stumps, watch them as Spring progresses. The butterflies congregate at them and drink the maple sap. Not unusual to see a dozen or so butterflies at once.
Got up to 64 today and the first yellow crocus popped up. Planted some grass seed and brought in a load of wood. No fire tonight, one in the morning to take the chill off though.
No Mourning Cloaks yet, but I saw the first Vultures returning yesterday. That's usually a good sign that Spring is on its way.
We planted 10 Tulip trees yesterday. We'll plant 10 Black Locust after the rain's gone then 4 Shagbarks, 10 Sassafras, 10 Gray Dogwood and 10 of something else, I think their Kentucky Coffee Tree, haven't opened them yet. We'll have chilly days, but winter is done.
Ambitious plan! You have an auger? I got around 30 in last year, with a shovel. 10 of them were transplants. That was a lot of digging! Also, where'd ya get the trees? I want to get another 30-40 in this year, but I'll probably need to wait at least another week or so.
I plant with a shovel. They're seedlings when I get them. I plant them in a nursery area close to the house for a year then plant them in the ground. I get a better survival rate that way, especially with trees like BL which the deer will devour. We get most of our trees here. http://forestry.ky.gov/statenurseriesandtreeseedlings/Pages/default.aspx They take orders in the fall and ship in a chosen spring month.
