Shortly after noon today (March 1), a male Red-winged Blackbird  
visited the backyard feeding area here in Norwich village. This was  
was my first 2009 sighting of this species in Norwich.

The earliest date of my spring sightings of Red-wings in Norwich was  
on February 21, 1998, when 4 males were seen. Other years with my  
earliest Norwich sightings in February were 1997 and 2002, but in most  
years I haven't encountered one until March.

The arrival of Red-wings is a fine sign of impending spring, but I  
won't put away the snow shovel just yet.

George


George Clark
Norwich, VT

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