I guess its official (for the birds) now.  For the last week or so the
local non-migratory breeders have been singing vigorously in the morning.
In particular the cardinals, titmice, h. finches, w-b. nuthatches, C.
chickadees, C. wrens and r-w. blackbirds have been very sing-songy.

But when I walked out this morning at 6:30, an old familiar song I have
not heard all winter was in the air... song sparrow!  One was belting out
his song from the marsh, and though it was distant the tone caught my
attention immediately.  As I was leaving for work, another began to sing
(perhaps in response to the first one?) from right behind our house!

One other "Spring is here" observation - have you all noticed the sharp
increase in road killed opossum and skunks?  Every year at about this
time, it seems like they get in the mood for Spring and increase their
roaming about, but are out of practice at avoiding approaching cars.  Or
maybe people are out of practice at avoiding slow-moving opossums?
Actually and unfortunately, both are probably indifferent to the other's
concerns!

Jeff Shenot
Croom MD