It was a gorgeous morning in Estabrook Park, with seasonably mild temps, mostly clear skies, and nearly still air. Not only could I hear a pin drop, but I could also finally identify the call I had just barely heard yesterday (the track from Ohio, May 12, 1980) over the roar of the wind in the radio towers. The red-winged blackbirds have returned, and I counted four along the river this morning, including this handsome devil. In 2025, I didn’t see one till March 1, but in 2024 they arrived by February 21, so they are just about right on schedule.
The next big surprise came on the river between the two islands, where I spotted these two beauties, our first hooded mergansers of the year. We haven’t seen one since that hen on the pond last October.
Meanwhile, there were at least a dozen common mergansers, and here are three hens all lined up as if to ask, “What are we, chopped liver now?” “Certainly not, Sweeties, but you’ve been in the spotlight for about twelve weeks already. It’s time to let someone else have a turn.”
Finally, a bald eagle was back over the river, and not only did it seem to ignore me, for a change, but the ducks seemed mostly to ignore it, too. I don’t know why, but I’ll take it!
It appears that we’re in for sloppy weather overnight and then for the wind to return tomorrow. Oh well. This brief respite was nice while it lasted, but I guess winter isn’t done with us just yet. At least there are no deep freezes in the long-range forecast,
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 