Familiar Calls and Signs of Spring

Peaceful evening walks through my neighborhood are populated with yellow-green leaves on willows starting to bloom by the creek. Within the sprouting willows and bare birch trees, birds sit on the branches sounding the alarm when I get too close, though most are hidden well from my sight.

A not-so-hidden friend, often perched on the tall grasses or outer tree branches, is the red-winged black bird. The black bird, aptly named because of the male’s recognizable red shoulder patch, also enjoys nesting and hanging out in wetland areas or near other bodies of water. Its song is considered a classic to the symphony of wetland sounds, with many describing it as a “conk-la-ree.” The sharp, consistent trill that ends the song is most recognizable to me. In the fall, flocks of this black bird make the long journey to Costa Rica to wait for the Winter to pass.

Another winged-critter that is synonymous with the arrival of Spring is the American Robin. Though this bird is commonly seen in the Spring, some robins are actually year-round residents in Montana. While the commonality of this bird may make it less exciting for ambitious birders, seeing the blueish bird prance around lawnscapes always makes me smile.

My favorite calls come from the sandhill cranes from the nearby wetland. It does take many listens to be able to pick out the call of the sandhill. Their almost prehistoric-sounding, loud bugle is identifiable to even the novice birder. The sandhill cranes, which travel to Northern Mexico in the colder months, often stop in Montana on the way to their breeding grounds further up North. These giant birds, standing up to 4 feet tall with a wingspan of 5.9 to 6.5 feet, can often be seen foraging for insects and seeds, or socializing with other birds.

A fairly common sight in the Madison Valley, the osprey usually begin migrating back to Montana in mid-April. These birds of prey are distinguishable from other hawks because of their white bellies and heads. You may spot this bird near lakes or rivers preparing to feast on trout for dinner or nesting high up on solitary posts. Ospreys are known to nest on power lines; however, this puts the birds and power services at risk. To reduce these conflicts, you may notice platforms that look similar to these posts that provide a safe place for osprey to nest.

As the weather continues to warm and more critters start to appear on the landscape, I look forward to breaking out my binoculars and enjoying my seasonal neighbors.