Birds’ activity hints at the arrival of spring

A sign that winter is not yet over, Varied Thrushes are still present on PAWS campus. In the spring, these birds head to their breeding territories in the fir forests of the mountains and foothills. Photo: Kevin Mack, PAWS
A sign that winter is not yet over, Varied Thrushes are still present on PAWS campus. In the spring, these birds head to their breeding territories in the fir forests of the mountains and foothills. Photo: Kevin Mack, PAWS

By Kevin Mack / PAWS

Although winter officially lasts a few more weeks, many wild animals on the PAWS campus are already feeling the approaching spring. Small birds are still foraging together in their winter feeding flocks, but there is palpable tension within the groups. Formerly content to feed side by side with one another, some of the male birds have begun to squabble when they feel a fellow flock member has come too close. They have also begun to tentatively sing their trilling territorial calls.

Click here to see more photos of the birds on the PAWS Campus.

Visit the wildlife section of the PAWS website if you would like to discover more about the organization’s work. Also check out the common problems page as we are about to enter the time of year when wildlife conflicts are most likely to occur.