[CT Birds] Red-Winged Blackbirds & more

[recoverywing at cox.net]

We have red winged blackbirds nest here every summer. This bird only seems to chase cowbirds away.  I have not witnessed him chasing any other birds except for the females today. There is quite a bit of bird action here at all times. You may just have an exceptionally aggressive male.

This A.m there was about 50 females foraging on the lawn when I got up. They have arrived! 

On another note the last several day brought a pair of black vultures soaring overhead, chipping sparrows wasting no time copulating yesterday in the mulberry tree, and eastern towhee.  I saw a grackle harrassing a common raven, and have heard and seen them lately around my street. I am continuing to see more barn swallows at different locations, and the tree swallows seem to be getting serious now.

The plants are way ahead of the birds arrival time. The quince and cherry trees have been in full bloom, and I still have not seen my first observed hummer or oriole. If they wait much longer they will miss them entirely. This day last year had my first swift in the chimney,  will see what will happen today. I imagine the insect cycle is ahead  too, and wonder what impact that can have if the hatching of insects is out of sync with the hatching of baby birds? I would think there is a domino effect as the birds did not arrive earlier with the warn waether but for the most part seem to be on time except for a few early birds.

The earliest I have ever had a hummingbird is April 26th. It just seems all wrong this year with end of May temps in April.

Jayne Amico/Southington