Predator at the Bird Feeder

This duck hawk (also known as a peregrine falcon) was sitting on top of my bird feeder today! I don't think birdseed was the breakfast he had in mind.

The Groundhog was Wrong

I knew all along that it would be an early spring. How can that groundhog avoid seeing his shadow with all those lights for the TV cameras?

It certainly feels like spring this weekend. Monday's igloo that was built by Middle Sister, Boy Next Door, and Big Brother collapsed on Friday and there's not a trace of it left, save for the sand-diggers and small shovels strewn around the front yard.

We've got the windows open and I am listening to the birds sing. I spent 20 minutes already today on whatbird.com, trying to figure out what bird woke me up this morning. I never saw the bird, but his call goes "whistle whistle, twit twit twit twit twit." He whistles twice and twits at least 3 times, and each time, he adds a few. Then he gets quiet and starts all over again. Yes, I am compelled to count how many twits each time. So if you have a clue about this bird, I'd be so grateful.

We saw two robins in the yard this morning, and the kids wore shorts yesterday.

AND we've already had our "spring ahead" on the clock. So it must be spring. So there, groundhog!

A Little Advice

From one mom to any others who might read this.

Never mention to your teenage son (who's just earned his Shotgun Merit Badge at Boy Scout Camp) that you've found the mockingbird's nest.

"PULL!" was his response, in case you're wondering.

Fortunately, this house is free of non-Nerf firearms.

Who's Visiting the Bird Feeder?

NOT THIS GUY!

This week I've seen a huge increase in the number and variety of birds visiting the feeder outside my front window. Since I moved it away from the lilac bush, the squirrel hasn't been able to jump onto the feeder and empty it. But there have been plenty of birds:
blue jay
sparrow
junco
purple finch
starling
mourning dove (they eat what drops on the ground)
robin (not at the feeder, but in the yard)

And I've heard the mockingbird singing, but I haven't caught sight of him yet.