Migratory birds are returning and it’s time to tune into their first songs of spring! Try putting on “Deer Ears” – cupping your hands behind your ears to listen to the sounds in front of you and cupping your hands in front of your ears to listen to sounds behind you. Do you notice a difference?
Pay attention for three of our earliest bird songs, listed below. When do you hear them first this year? Keep a record to compare what you observe year to year and to compare to other local phenology projects, for example Burlington City Nature Clock.
Conk-la-REE! sings the Red-winged Blackbird.
Maids, maids, maids, put on your tea kettle-ettle-ettle-ettle-ettle sings the Song Sparrow.
Readle-eak! sings the Common Grackle.