 The Early Bird Friday, February the 22nd dawned mild and damp - perhaps the warmest day since the beginning of the new year. The following day was much the same and as I trod the back step in an early morning light, the spring-like atmosphere suggested today could be the day the strident song of a Varied Thrush rang out. Mind you, I hadn’t yet seen any Varied Thrush, but the temperate weather made all things possible. Later that day I walked with a friend along Evergreen Street in 100 Mile House, and glimpsed something as it sprang from a snow-covered lawn onto the low-hanging branches of a dense evergreen tree. I carefully and cautiously stalked my feathery prey. Pulling binoculars and peering around in the middle of a heavily populated subdivision brings its own hazards. Luckily, I happened to know the owners of the property, so I reached into my front jacket pocket and unleashed my binoculars with some assurance. I closed the gap between myself and my still-invisible quarry. A rapid movement cued me to the birds hiding spot, and through a screen of trees I saw an unmistakable profile. This was my first Varied Thrush sighting of 2008. I carried on with my walk and within several minutes arrived outside a bank on Birch Avenue. I waited at the crosswalk and another surprise hove into view. A Robin perched on an ash tree with a beak full of frozen fruit from one of the nearby ornamental trees. Obviously this early bird sustained itself on fruit, not on worms. I fished around my coat pocket for the small binoculars. But, before I could focus on the first Robin of 2008, another Robin joined the first. At this point they both flew across the street chasing each other over the roof of the barber shop and then disappearing into the subdivision. As they flew away I heard one of the birds utter a familiar call note. That was a sound I haven’t heard for some months. There is no doubt, spring or something similar has begun. I may be hard-pressed to find anyone else who will agree with me, but I am sure this is the beginning of a bird avalanche that will soon sweep the Cariboo. Granted, those few Robins and Varied Thrush currently enjoying the unseasonably mild weather will experience cold nights and snowfalls before spring begins in earnest. Nevertheless, it is a sign that this year’s resolute winter is slowly releasing its grip. Green leaves may be distant thoughts, and snow piles and icy roads may be the current reality. But if I tossed the Varied Thrush and Robin sightings in with the drum rolls of Pileated and Downy Woodpeckers, and then added the daily singing of Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees, I could make a case for spring’s symphony getting underway. So, if spring is not here then at least the overture is begun. And after a long winter it truly is an ode to joy. To e-mail Tom CLICK HERE To look at previous column CLICK HERE |
