Sounds of Spring

The sound of a male cardinal claiming his territory or the loud "grracckle!" of an iridescent black bird showing off to a lady friend are the unmistakable markers of spring to me.

The doves are also cooing now and looking for nest material.

If you know birds, you can be almost anywhere and get an aural clue to what's going on in their world (our world, too).

A great ally for birders is the Ornithology Lab at Cornell University. Many years ago, we used to listen to recorded bird songs compiled by the lab, so when we took a walk in the Great Swamp or nearby woods, we could tell what birds to look for by hearing them first.

Now, of course, there are online resources as well.

Try listening to this link and the next time you are outdoors, you are likely to hear and recognize the Grackle.

A large number of these birds return to trees at Grace Church each year to breed. Soon we will see armies of their young patrolling our front lawn for edibles. They are very handsome birds indeed and are welcome visitors before they gather in great flocks and migrate in fall to warmer climes.

Bird study is a great way to introduce children to the world of nature and its cycles. It's a lifelong interest for many. So roll down those car windows, take a walk, pull the earplugs out while gardening and listen up to the spring symphony of birds!

--Bernice