A SAD TIME FOR US ALL

It is Sad that the BLACKBIRDS have returned to this area. One day last week there was food in my two feeders that my birds were enjoying, and then I saw one or two BLACKBIRDS, whether RUSTY, or BREWERS, they were here too short a time for me to determine. Soon all of the cousins were there as well: the PURPLE GRACKLES, the RED WINGS, the COWBIRDS, and of course, their mates. Always there were only a half-dozen, but in two days, my feeders were stripped bare. Nor are they friendly feeders. Everyone else is pushed out. I especially do not like the COWBIRDS, because I understand they lay their eggs in a small bird's nest. Instinct causes the mom to feed the healthier chick to maintain the species. Ugly, that. I have heard that JAYS do the same thing as well, but have not verified it. It is a Sad time for me because I have determined not to feed BLACKBIRDS.

As I have said before, we are on a flight path for the birds, seeing we are near The River. I used to walk miles up into the woods and saw the BLACKBIRDS, both spring and fall, mass by the thousands in the tops of the tall trees of the woods. In the fall, before they leave, they come down near the river, and mass on the trees here. No, I will not feed them.

Which leaves me with few BIRDS in my garden. The JUNCOS and SPARROWS come scrabbling for what they can find, but the DOVES and JAYS have gone. I hear the CARDINAL'S glorious song, but they only fly through, or sit high up in a tree and sing.

Sad also, is the fact Spring is truly not here. This morning it snowed, not much, but areas a little north of here have quite a bit on the ground, and further west they are grappling with not only snow but floods. We have had mostly rain here. It is cold and dull, with leaden skies--mostly windy.

No, it is a Sad time for us all. When will Spring come?

Ah! I am looking at an AMERICAN GOLDFINCH sitting on my tree outside my window. No doubt he is just passing through, but a good sign, no?