Exceptional March Sightings

March is almost over and while it behaved like a lion most of the month, it is likely to exit rather meekly. (but not exactly lamb-like) In spite of the continued winter weather, I saw many new things and marveled at the returning birds and the spring sky. About ten days ago we viewed the full moon of the vernal equinox. Easter was exceptionally early because this moon appeared on the day of the equinox. I took the picture above through the silhouetted swelling buds of our lilac bush on a cold and windy night.


It looks as if the Bald Eagles have returned north after wintering in our region. On Easter Sunday evening, my husband and I were fortunate enough to approach this mature eagle as it sat in a perch above the river just behind a local hospital. The area is built up with plenty of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, but the eagle was not intimidated by those watching it.

"What are you looking at?"

Other interesting sightings included the Heron rookery, Horned Larks, Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Sandhill Cranes, hand feeding Chickadees and Nuthatches, and seeing some new water fowl on Lake Ontario.

The saga of the Cedar Waxwings continues. Samuel went birding with us yesterday and we stopped at the hospital to fill the feeders and check for any more dead birds. We found a large mixed flock of Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings in the crabapple trees. One bird was "under the influence" and Samuel posted a short video clip of it on his blog. His account of our day is very enthusiastic and detailed. It is a real pleasure to walk the trails with him.

Bohemian Waxwings (taken by Samuel)

I am looking forward to April. Our four foot snow banks should melt and some ponds should open in the warmer temperatures that are forecasted. It will be much easier to walk around and observe what is new.