Dawn Chorus!

This picture was made a few weeks ago, notice the snowy background. But what I want to talk about today is the sound I hear early in the morning before the sun rises. It's called the dawn chorus and all the birds are singing. We heard a Northern Cardinal singing outside our window this morning about 6:30. It was saying Cheer, Cheer, Cheer, Birdy, Birdy, Birdy, or at least that's what it sounds like. And then a little later I heard Poor Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody. The white-throated sparrow has such a sweet song. Some people say it says, instead, My sweet Canada, Canada, Canada. Anyway, it's a sweet sound to hear. These birds will be migrating north soon. Probably to Canada! Enjoy these beautiful early morning sounds.

Mockingbirds and all that jazz.

This mockingbird on the birdbath in our front yard has been visiting our suet cake all winter and really being pretty quiet. Now that spring is in the air he sings all the time. We hear him first thing in the morning with the dawn chorus and a lot during the day. Mockingbirds imitate songs of other birds and other noises they like. The male with the most songs wins the female of his choice, or so they say. In the spring they are staking out their territory for where they will nest and raise their baby birds. We'll be watching for a nest and those new mockers.