A few neighbohood spring things...

[John Bower]

1. Several flocks of northbound swans a few days ago. A big flight might be coming after this cold air mass finishes its visit.  On some years I have seen several flocks with hundreds of birds fly over within an hour of each other.  It usually happens early in the morning after the sky clears.  Dates from previous years are March 16, 17, 20, 23.  Ears on the sky!
2. 2 turkey vultures flying north together yesterday.
3. First consistent, hours long white-crowned sparrow song today (last year March 17 was the day with first consistent - incessant? - song)
4. Lovely singing at dawn by several varied thrush.
5. Three days ago a single crow showed up on the telephone wire in front of our house after being gone all winter and made a racket until I brought out a little kibble for it.  Now it’s cawing at me every morning - nice to have it back, nature’s alarm clock, but wondering where it’s mate from last year is? 
6. Am I seeing things wrong or are the 15 or so juncos that have spent the winter been getting flighty over the last few days? 

Best,

 

John

 

 

Dr. John Bower (he, him, his) Professor of Biology Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies Western Washington University 516 High St. Bellingham, WA 98225-9118   Office: 360-650-7217

 

Office hour sign up google doc: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cbsf3wgHqJ-Qei2A5BbX_v7AnYtwT4lDCIAjRmI2GgQ/edit#

 

 

Voltaire:  Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities

 

 

[Adena Mooers]

Thank you for your observations.

On Mar 13, 2026, at 10:18 AM, John Bower <jbo...@wwu.edu> wrote:

1. Several flocks of northbound swans a few days ago. A big flight might be coming after this cold air mass finishes its visit.  On some years I have seen several flocks with hundreds of birds fly over within an hour of each other.  It usually happens early in the morning after the sky clears.  Dates from previous years are March 16, 17, 20, 23.  Ears on the sky!
2. 2 turkey vultures flying north together yesterday.
3. First consistent, hours long white-crowned sparrow song today (last year March 17 was the day with first consistent - incessant? - song)
4. Lovely singing at dawn by several varied thrush.
5. Three days ago a single crow showed up on the telephone wire in front of our house after being gone all winter and made a racket until I brought out a little kibble for it.  Now it’s cawing at me every morning - nice to have it back, nature’s alarm clock, but wondering where it’s mate from last year is? 
6. Am I seeing things wrong or are the 15 or so juncos that have spent the winter been getting flighty over the last few days? 

Best,

 

John

 

 

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Dr. John Bower (he, him, his) Professor of Biology Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies Western Washington University 516 High St. Bellingham, WA 98225-9118   Office: 360-650-7217

 

Office hour sign up google doc: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cbsf3wgHqJ-Qei2A5BbX_v7AnYtwT4lDCIAjRmI2GgQ/edit#

 

 

Voltaire:  Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities

 

 

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