March 27, 2008 [LINK / comment]
Purple finches everywhere
I went for a walk behind the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad this morning, and the sound of all the birds singing was like a symphony. Purple finches were in abundance nearly everywhere I went, nibbling on buds high in the tree tops. Even with the overcast skies, the air was mild and full of floral fragrance. Today's highlights:
- Purple finches (50+)
- Goldfinches (15+)
- Red-bellied woodpecker
- Golden-crowned kinglet (F)
- Ruby-crowned kinglet (M)
Also, I heard a Phoebe in the distance.
Horseshoe crabs
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine signed a bill imposing a halt on harvesting Horseshoe crabs, upon which the sandpiper species known as Red knots depends during its northward spring migration. (Hat tip to Charles Ziegenfus.)
I previously wrote about Horseshoe crabs and Red knots in Feb. 2006.