The birds have discovered my feeder!!! I have sparrows, finches, and mourning doves. Whoooo hoooooo! My mom has a hummingbird feeder and I've observed a black chinned hummingbird and a warbler of some kind (where th' heck is my book!?). Yay!!!

Marian

Here in western Ohio spring is an absolute delight! 3 female purple finches and a male here this am at my feeders, it has been several years since I have had purple finches! We also have bright yellow goldfinches, and a pair of red head woodpeckers at the suet! They stayed all winter!
Robins and cardinals singing their hearts out in the woods, they are ready for the season!

I'm so glad to hear that your bird-deprived days seem to be over, Marian. I know I would miss my backyard birds if for some reason they didn't show up.

Within the last week or two it seems as if the last of the winter juncos have flown out, heading north I guess. I've got one regular mockingbird who I see throughout the day, and who can be heard at any hour of the night when most birds are silent. I've got lots of robins, quite a few grackles, at least one pair of cardinals, a handful of blue jays, house finches and an occasional purple finch or two, about half a dozen goldfinches, mourning doves, some semi-regular Downy woodpeckers, a Northern flicker, and several varieties of sparrows.

Leequi

Welcome Brenda, Those purple finches are so pretty. Lucky you!

Marian, I'm so happy for you. How long will it take you to put a hummingbird feeder? I'm sure they will find it quickly enough. Seeing birds in your own yard is such a thrill, even if they are the more common birds. You might get some migratory birds there too.

Spring HAS ARRIVED here in Alaska too!!! The Varied Thrushes are back! I know most people say it is spring when the Robins return. Not so for me. It is only when the Varied Thrush shows up. The male will sit at the top of a tree in the early mornings and sing his heart out trying to attract a mate. It is so wonderful to hear them again.

Rose

Thanks for the welcome Rose! What part of Alaska are you from? What a beautiful state! I have never seen or hear a varied thrush! Sounds like you are having a wonderful spring!

Marian, glad your birds have arrived. I remember when I first put out a feeder in mountainous Pocahontas Co. I couldn't believe I didn't see any bird activity for about two months. My neighbors had bird feeder all over the place, and I wondered "why? There aren't any birds." I knew there had to be birds in that rural area, but they didn't like my feeder. Finally, though, they did discover the new feeding place and I had a wonderful assortment of birds flocking to my back yard.

Rose, a robin sighting here is no sign of spring either. They're here all the time. Can't go by the geese or the herons either. Then seem to fly in and out all winter long too.

Welcome Brenda C. Where in Ohio do you live? I have family in the Columbus region.

Brenda, I live on the Kenai Peninsula, just outside of the town of Soldotna. I used to live near Palmer, 40 miles north of Anchorage. Alaska is a beautiful state. In my opinion, each state has it's own unique beauty, but Alaska has many more miles of it. *grin*

Rose

Oh I believe that Rose! Lois, I was raised outside of Coumbus, now live about 70 miles west of it, closer to Indiana. Thanks for the warm welcome, this is the neatest thing about these forums, meeting people from all over!

Marian, I knew it was just a matter of time before the birds found you!
The return of the catbirds is the ultimate spring event for me, and it will be anyyyyy day now! I just saw my very first ever Red Breasted Grosbeak this evening. Laura and I got out the binoculars, and he was in out yard using various feeders for well over an hour.

Heard the first house wrens bubbling chatter today! And I believe a saw the first hummer flitting about! Yikes, time to put up the hummer feeders! Orioles will soon be here as well!