Notes- Spring 2005

We staying above 55 at night so the new baby plants can stay outside all night. We'd had the cool spells where they had to be brought inside for the night but at least we had the space. They stayed on the floor in the light room but that was fine. The forecast had shown the middle of next week with lows in the mid 40s but they took that out so we just might be safe for now. Time to worry about hail storms. We've already had enough March hail to be more than we usually get in 3 years put together. Actually, we'd not had any hail storms in about 4 years so it was a surprise. 

It was nearly midnight last night when I'd been out to give Beau and Sammy their nightly treats and was delighted to hear the first Whippoorwills of the season. What a treat for me. There sounded to be five or maybe 6 and most were close by. When I'd gone out later, I could hear two at a very great distance. We had a winter of lots of owls but none recently. We usually hear no Whippoorwills when we hear owls. 

On Tuesday of this week, I was out looking at the show of yellow wildflowers across the neighbor's pasture when I saw two scissortails. Such big beautiful birds and a true sign that winter is over. The willow and mesquite trees are leafed out but even they are fooled occasionally by an early spring freeze.

We've been down to 37° for two nights in a row. Brr. But the forecast shows warmer weather and fewer days of cold. We had over an inch of snow Saturday morning. What a surprise. But none of the plants are outside except for the new ornamental trees. 

I had put out the hummingbird feeder on Tuesday when Randy thought he heard one. I thought it sounded like the goldfinch hum but it was Thursday, March 24th when we saw the first visitor of the season. There are not a lot yet but the little fellow does his dance to find a lady friend. 

The Blue Jays are still around as well as the goldfinches. Randy is going to look for new hummingbird feeders the next time he goes to the feed store or Lowe's. We still have two plastic ones that the squirrels have chewed up. The old glass one is the only one still useable and it's flower pedals have disappeared.

There are still goldfinches around. Just not nearly as many. Today I am seeing about 8 while there had been 3 to 4 dozen. 

Yesterday I saw a beautiful woodpecker. I don't think the picture I took will come out well at all. The water pan was low and dirty. So I went out and cleaned everything and made it all nice and pretty again. I did see him in the tree later. This one had come for water but often they are attracted to the seeds. I put out a mix that we have but we're out of sunflower seeds for right now. There was a lot more brilliant red to his entire head than the ones we often see. This is migrating season and we will be seeing some visitors that won't be back for a long time.

Randy had mentioned the increase in hawks lately. One had tried to get the chickens in their yard but had hit a barrier post and flew away. He was described as being a young one and not nearly as big as the chickens. The number of hawks in the spring is usually greater when we have lots of rabbits. They are welcome to eat all of those they want. No offense to rabbit lovers but the bunnies will eat up our gardens and leave us nothing.

Yesterday we only saw 3 goldfinches. The day before only about 6. Today so far, none at all. They have moved north for the Season. I miss them already but it also means that it will only be a few weeks before we will be seeing hummingbirds appear. Time to get a few new feeders and have them ready to go up in the trees. They are such a treat but when we only have one feeder, one male will chase off all the other males. The feeders need to be out of sight of each feeder just to keep peace.

When I cleaned out the lint filter on the clothes dryer the other day, I set it aside and carried it outside. It is now time for the happy little birds to be making nests and looking for materials to make those nests.

Within 4 hours, the bundle of lint was reduced by half. I had noticed a little wren darting under the house and know it's time for nest making. The wrens can get inside the electrical box and raise a family before we know they have moved in.

I know the Robins are still around but see them less often when there is more rain. The birds at the seed table are still the sparrows and the goldfinch and several other finches. The cardinals are year round but it will soon be time for the hummingbirds to arrive. They are such a joy; so much fun to listen for their many sounds.

Part of the fun of spring is ordering seeds for plants like the Zinnias just for attracting the birds and the butterflies. I am yet searching for another plant we'd grown years ago and want to make sure we have it every year now. Most are warmer weather plants so we are not yet in a hurry to get the seeds into soil.