April 30, 2007 [LINK / comment]

More spring migrants arrive

Today we had a veritable heat wave, with temperatures soaring into the upper 80s, and May isn't even here yet! I spent some rare free time this morning climbing to the top of Betsy Bell Hill and Mary Gray Hill, the first time I have done both hills in one day. It was breezy, which may explain the low number of warbler species. Today's highlights included four first-of-season birds:

Here are some other first-of-season sightings from the past few days. At the Route 608 crossing over Christians Creek on April 27:

Along the trail behind the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad, April 29:

In the just-for-fun department, I saw a Killdeer walking along the railroad tracks next to the industrial park on the north edge of Staunton on Thursday afternoon. I don't mean along the cross ties, I mean along the steel rail itself: quite a balancing act!

No to plastic bags!

My sister Connie tells me there was a piece on Public Radio International today about a town in England that has outlawed plastic shopping bags. "Behind it is a young videographer who happened on an endangered turtle on a beach, choking on a bag." See YouTube.