March birds

Spring is undoubtedly on its way. Geese are breaking up their flocks, ducks and hawks are pairing up. In the park, lots of birds as winter and summer residents mingle. Early dawn sees the little guys flitting through - a Carolina chickadee



And a titmouse



And here's a blue jay, all composed and smug after running off the hawks



With more sun, others show up - like a little Downy woodpecker



A mockingbird settles in to sing



Early morning also brings a flock of goldfinches, the males not yet in their bright yellow breeding plumage hard to tell from the females







Here's a male cardinal, still a bit wintry gray



And his mate



We know it's not quite spring yet, because the juncos are still here





And so are the white-throated sparrows



But the redwinged blackbirds have shown up and begun staking out their territories



And the robins are breaking up their big flocks





And the flicker is back, too