January 20 - Sounds of Spring

Today as I was walking along the trail by the river, I heard a chickadee. While some people say that the first sign of spring is a robin in their yard, that particular sign means nothing to me. I can’t see robins, sparrows, blue jays or other small birds and so I rely on sounds. Today I was very surprised to hear that chickadee. I wondered if he had looked at his bird calendar. After all, it is only January 20. Maybe spring is coming early this year!

I can’t identify many birds, but the sounds made by chickadees are easy. I think that their call sounds like a long drawn out voice calling, “Cheeseburger, cheeseburger!” 

Today I also heard a woodpecker – another call that is easy to identify. Then there are always those darn crows.  It’s easy to think of where the expression, “Stone the crows!” comes from.

So, I hope that my little chickadee of today is right and that winter is on its way out. I will keep on listening.