Even the birds seem to be excited at this first sign of spring. Song Sparrows were calling more vociferously than I've heard them in months, and Red-Winged Blackbirds were busy flying around their territories in anticipation of the return of mates. Out on the water signs of winter were still abundant - Buffleheads and Red-Breasted Mergansers still patrolled Long Island Sound and the inlets.
The tide was out, so I walked near the exposed flats in hopes of seeing shorebirds. Almost immediately, Kim and I heard a quick alarm call from a Killdeer, but had a lot of trouble locating it. I brought out my iPod and mini-speaker and dialed up the call for a Killdeer. Within seconds of broadcasting the call, the bird on the flat called back loud and angry-sounding. After that, it was easy to pinpoint from where the call came. We saw the brown-backed bird in the brown mud less than 100 feet away. When it finally calmed down, it went back to slurping worms from the intertidal mud and keeping a wary-looking eye on us. Judging from the quick reaction to the recording, I guess he's got his territory marked out and is as ready for spring as I am.
Not my picture, but you get the idea.
| 67 | Killdeer | Orchard Beach - Twin Island | US-NY | 07 March 2010 |
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