Around noon today (March 5) a Common Grackle appeared on a sunflower seed feeder
here in the backyard in Norwich village.

This is my first sighting of this species in 2007 and my first sighting of a
presumed spring migrant for this year. 

My earliest spring date for Common Grackle in Norwich was one on Feb. 26, 2002.
My other first spring dates for grackles in Norwich earlier than March 5
included three birds on March 1, 1998, and one on March 2, 2004. 

Other bird highlights in the backyard today have included an American Robin, an
American Tree Sparrow, a White-throated Sparrow, and a brightly colored mature
male Purple Finch. Both Red and Gray Squirrels have been conspicuous, with as
many as four Grays this morning at one time around the feeders. 

Yesterday (March 4) two Carolina Wrens were here together in the backyard. At
least one of them spent a number of minutes at a suet feeder.

George


George Clark
Norwich, VT

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