Bird song, in earnest, begins in April and continues well into June.

Even so, we heard a considerable amount of song this morning at the rainy Toronto Islands.

From the ferry, we could hear the “owl-omelet” calls of Long-tailed Ducks.

Near birdfeeders we could hear the loud “chirps” of House Sparrows.

And then, just three or four times, we heard the clear “tea kettle, tea kettle” of the Carolina Wren. This 5 – 6 inch long bird is at the northern limit of its range here but spends winter with us.

Other birds:

Today’s group:

MAILBOX

 I just noticed that PBS Nature on Wednesday this week is going to focus on a 500 year old Scots Pine in the Scottish Highlands. I’m planning to record and watch it. Perhaps some of your regular walkers will be interested.

WILDHEART | About | Nature | PBS

NATURE POETRY

January is here,
With eyes that keenly glow—
A frost-mailed warrior striding
A shadowy steed of snow.         – Edgar Fawcett (1847–1904

Miles Hearn