Early Spring Migrants

In the midst of long New England winters, Newton birders look skyward for signs of spring as early as late February. In late February or early March Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles return from the southeast and begin to sing.

During mid to late March, our earliest flycatcher, the Eastern Pheobe returns. We saw our first on March 31. As this species feeds primarily on flying insects, spring weather must in fact be around the corner...