The soul comes rushing back in

Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

First, woodpeckers. Downies going at it, red-bellies noisily calling, even a hairy made a rare CRP appearance. And then the unmistakable holler of the pileated.

Pileated Woodpecker, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

I seem to be a pileated magnet this winter, with good luck last month at Ridge Hill. And this is the third time I've seen them at the CRP in the last year, so they are no longer an unexpected presence. Today there were two. Couldn't tell if they were courting or fighting. A large gang of blue jays were giving them a hard time.

Eastern Bluebird, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

I was actually down there for the bluebirds, who have just begun to gather. The Trustees have installed a few more boxes to replace those vandalized last summer. Time to put my nest box monitoring hat back on.

Eastern Bluebird, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Meanwhile, it is snow bluebird time. I hope there's a healthy stash of berries somewhere....

Common mergansers, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

The Charles River is opening up and ducks are passing through. Had ten or so common mergansers in one group. And I was delighted to see a pair of green-winged teals, a patch bird for me!

Green-winged Teal, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

On my way out, the first large group of blackbirds I'd seen this year. The CRP resounded with the songs of red-winged blackbirds. Spring is here.