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Welcome to your Public Forum! Please use it to tell all of us what birds you are seeing in your yard, your neighborhood, on your balcony or fire escape, or in your favorite park. Tell us about any wildlife refuges you are visiting. And the birds you are seeing – what are they doing? Are they singing, nest-building, flying, foraging, sitting still and resting? Are they interacting with those of their own species or with others? Are they by themselves? In a flock? Ask questions and learn more about topics that are important to you. And remember, no question is too basic or simple – we all have to start somewhere. If you are having trouble posting, have something to discuss with me, or have a question for me, please email me at lindahendricksspence@birdingbeyondthefieldguide.com.

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Public ForumYour sightings: What did you see or hear?They are back

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They are back

#1 · 02/24/2025, 7:58 AM

I saw my first turkey vulture of the season this morning while out for my am walk. I live on the southeast side of Decatur. To quote Linda Spence “the true harbinger of spring”is here. Let’s hope so. Susan Shaw

Susan, I have not seen any so far - and I have been looking. What great news! Spring is coming!

I did see a small bird fly into one of our big trees in the backyard and I saw the flash of a yellow rump. I immediately thought of a Yellow-rumped Warbler. I know the range maps for this bird show that we are on the northern edge of its winter range, but in the 20 years we have lived here, we have never seen any in our back yard in winter - just in spring and fall migrations. So I had a big smile on my face as I grabbed my binoculars - I was thinking that spring was finally showing signs of coming after our weeks of truly frigid temperatures. And what a brave. bold, little bird to be migrating so early. Imagine my surprise when I looked through my binoculars, the bird had turned around, and now I was seeing a totally clear. pale grayish breast - no dark streaks or side areas of yellow as would be on the Yellow-rumped. It was not a Yellow-rumped Warbler at all - it was a male American Goldfinch. I looked closely at its throat and saw yellow tints. There was the palest of yellow wash on the breast and tummy. And when it turned around, there it was - yellow feathers starting to show right at the rump! So it actually was a sign of spring - the male goldfinches are starting to get their spring and summer plumage! Linda

#2 · 02/24/2025, 11:41 PM

Hello all......... I too saw a TV (lol) within the last couple of days, here in the Clinton IL area.... maybe one or two of them over the weekend.

And I have dozens of goldfinches around my feeders Every day, but have not noticed any "yellowing" of the males quite yet - but thanks for the heads-up Linda - I will watch more closely. ;0) bdp

Bsrry - and Susan,

Got one! Saw a wobbly form soaring over our small lake yesterday afternoon while out basking in the sunshine. Turkey Vulture! First one for us this year. And what a wonderful afternoon here yesterday. We sat outside at our firepit burning downed branches from the winter and saw the vulture, heard a Northern Flicker, and watched a half dozen Canada Gerese take thorough baths - they spent over an hour submerging, preening, stretching, flapping. Must feel good after these weeks of frigid weather. Mallards were quacking at the far end of the lake and the Belted Kingfisher was rattling. White-breasted Nuthatches calling to each other from the trees around the feeders and a Hairy Woodpecker chowing down at the suet. Who cares about dirty dishes in the sink, a load of laundry, and household chores when you can laze outside in a chair with all this? Linda

P.S. To those of you reading this - what are your signs of spring? What are you seeing and hearing?