March 8th. Lots of melting as a result of yesterdays high of 60 degrees. Footprints across the marsh left ice more resistant to melting than the snow around them.

 

The resident Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) flock was active this morning.

 

 

 

March 10th. Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) have been back about as long as the Blackbirds.

 

Calling display posture is similar to that of Blackbirds.

 

Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are very active. A joy to hear them at this time of year.

 

 

 

 

 

The males seem to be spending more time low to the marsh, often in grass hummocks, presumably scouting for nest sites.

 

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) takes flight.

 

March 14th. Nineteen degrees. Haze around the moon as I walked to the marsh, hoping for a sunrise.

 

Not much of a sunrise. The sky cluttered with contrails.

 

So far, there seems to be three or more pairs of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) on the marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 15th. Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) were sunning on a clear afternoon with temps near 60 degrees.

 

 

 

Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) share Raymond Brook Marsh with Mallards and Wood Ducks, as well as several transient species.

 

A pair of Canada Geese cruise past saplings harvested by beavers last fall.

 

 

 

 

 

March 17th. A male Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus).