Birds of feather? Warmer weather

By Zoey McGee | Manor Ink

This is the time of year when everyone is eagerly searching for tiny signs of spring. Some rely on a prediction from our favorite rodent in Pennsylvania, while others look for sprouting daffodils. But for me, like for many of you, the true signs of the season are the feathered forecasters of the sky. You’ve got to love birds!

If you’ve seen or heard any of these returning flyers recently, it’s a sure sign: the harsh, cold and often dreary winter is finally coming to an end.

There is no single species that stands as the ultimate harbinger of spring. Traditionally, most say that the American robin is the first sign, and while they are certainly one of the most recognizable indicators, you can’t entirely rely on their presence to mark the start of the season. That’s because robins don’t migrate; they simply retreat to more secluded wooded areas during winter, surviving on hibernating insects beneath the leaf litter. You can still see them occasionally during the snowy season, but not often. However, once you see them hopping across lawns, tugging worms from the thawed ground, spring is coming.

One early returner from the south is the Eastern phoebe. It’s one of the first migratory birds to make its way back to New York. Like robins, they are out searching for insects, but you don’t necessarily need to see them to know they’ve returned, just listen for their distinctive “fee-bee, fee-bee” call. Even the most novice birder can recognize it.

Spring is nesting season for most birds, and one undeniable sign that the seasons are changing is spotting a wren carrying bits of twigs and grass to build its nest. Once you see them, winter is almost a distant memory.

And, of course, no article on spring migrants would be complete without mentioning hummingbirds. The ruby-throated hummingbird, embarks on an incredible journey from Central America back to New York each spring. These tiny birds, weighing less than a penny, travel thousands of miles, even crossing the Gulf of Mexico in a single, non-stop flight. They return just as flowers begin to bloom, relying on nectar and tiny insects to refuel after their long trip. Spring, no doubt, is here by then.