A Sign of Spring?

I know robins do spend their winters here in New England, but they're really not seen much until spring. (When those spring rains begin they come out in droves!) But since this is the first one I've seen in some time, I'm convinced he's a good sign - a sign that perhaps winter has turned a corner. (That's what the groundhog said, anyways.)

So I spotted this handsome guy in our front tree very early yesterday morning and since then I've seen him a couple of times - again in the tree, and hopping about on the front lawn. I'd like to imagine he's getting on with his spring business which is to mark his territory and start scouting out a bride ... just in time for St. Valentines Day, of course. :)

Here in Massachusetts we had "Focus on the Feeders" last weekend, a bird counting survey sponsored by the Mass. Audubon Society. We take part in this every year and it's always such fun. I was a little upset with myself this year because we've been lax with our feeding lately so I knew our counts would be down - but still, we counted! And our tally results were as follows:

blue jay: 1

black-capped chickadee: 2

carolina wren: 1

dark-eyed junco: 6

downy woodpecker: 1

sparrow: 3

mourning dove: 1

northern cardinal: 1

red-breasted nuthatch: 2

tufted timouse: 2

white-breasted nuthatch: 1

***

Do you feed birds in your yard? Have you seen any new birds at your feeders this year? 

Well, I hope you're all having a nice Tuesday ... take care of  yourselves and your loved ones, and I'll see you here again sometime soon!