On this mild afternoon in Columbia, Missouri, two disparate visitors appeared in our backyard. The first, a brown thrasher, posed on our wooden fence; handsome and unmistakable, this large, summer songbird tolerated my gaze for several minutes before dropping into a shrub line beyond the barrier. He, his mate and their young will likely be observed repeatedly throughout the warmer months.
The second visitor, tiny and restless, moved through the shrubs and smaller trees, making fleeting appearances as he searched for insects, It was a ruby-crowned kinglet, a regular but inconspicuous migrant in spring and fall. Breeding across Alaska, Canada, northern New England and southward through the Western mountains, these energetic migrants winter across the southern U.S. and into Mexico.
Both birds were the first of their species I have observed this year and are always among the first of the summer residents and spring migrants to grace our property. Their visits were especially appreciated this year!
The second visitor, tiny and restless, moved through the shrubs and smaller trees, making fleeting appearances as he searched for insects, It was a ruby-crowned kinglet, a regular but inconspicuous migrant in spring and fall. Breeding across Alaska, Canada, northern New England and southward through the Western mountains, these energetic migrants winter across the southern U.S. and into Mexico.
Both birds were the first of their species I have observed this year and are always among the first of the summer residents and spring migrants to grace our property. Their visits were especially appreciated this year!
