Optimists
(Burrowing Owl Update Below)
Half a dozen Red-winged Blackbird males took possession of the fennel forest in the northwest quadrant of the park today. They are optimists, hoping that the females have arrived or will arrive soon. However, this morning, no female was in sight. The females travel on their own schedule and arrive later than the males, sometimes much later. Regardless, the males practiced their power display, spreading their wings to show off their bright red-orange epaulets, and holding forth with a flute-like trill. When other males arrive, these early comers will have monopolized the best nest-hiding bushes. The females will build nests tucked away out of sight in the dense fennel shrubbery, preferably in the bright green new growth.
Burrowing Owl Update
The Burrowing Owl in the park could not be found this morning in Perch A or Perch B or anywhere else.
It may be taking a day or two off, as has happened before.
Or it may be repeating last year’s calendar. Last year, the owl took off on its Spring migration on Feb. 19.
We’ll be checking again every day all week. Watch this space for updates.
We have a female singing her heart out at our feeder…but only one so far. We used to have flocks of redwings visiting but this year none except this one female.
Gorgeous visuals!
Wow, fabulous video.