Return of the Phoebe

I had my first sighting this morning and didn't fully realise it--a quick flash of grey past my office window. Hope dawned...and yet, I told myself, it could've been a titmouse.

But just now the phoebe, a male, perched on the sunlit branch of a winterberry tree. I gazed for a few seconds, then dashed for the camera. He was gone by the time I returned.

Last year, the male and female both arrived on April 19th. So despite the lingering signs of winter (all that snow still on the ground!) they've come at the usual time.

Also today I've been watching the female purple finch at our feeders. Until now, we've only seen a pair of males.

So despite the cool, blustery weather, my spring fever still rages.