April 2004

April 2004

Despite the cold rain of the last 24 hours, spring is firmly established in the Northwest.

Those conscious in the wee hours will hear the evidence in the liquid call of robins. They have been calling for weeks, of course. But now, at first light, they are joined by chickadees with their pure tone call in varied patterns and by song sparrows with their excited message – two opening notes and then a jumble of buzzes or trills. In the urban landscape I call home, these early sounds are finally joined by the noisy chatter of house sparrows and the morning pronouncements of crows. On campus, juncos and jays, towhees and kinglets proclaim their space and desires. They move about in the morning light, busy gathering material for their nests. Some are already tending eggs and there are even reports of baby ducklings on the pond.

Not all the actors have arrived, however, and with the eagerness of a child on Christmas morning, one listens for the sign of new arrivals. The sun breaks of an April rain call for a quick walk to take in the colors and sounds of spring. What present has the storm brought in? What gifts are waiting for the sky to clear? Soon the woods behind the buildings will be full of warblers and thrushes, finches and flycatchers waiting to lighten the moods of all who venture out. Enjoy.