Well, it’s official. Spring is really here!!! The Spring Peepers are peeping!!! I heard them for the first time on Friday early evening. I had walked out behind the Lagoon and up into the woods and as I was sitting very still trying to see a bird the I could only hear, I heard the distinct sound of the peepers! Such a welcome sound, a sure indicator of Spring.
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/northern_spring_peeper.html

The bird, by the way, was the Northern Flicker.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Northern_Flicker.html#sound

After I came down off of the hill, I headed for the Cattail Marsh across from the Community Gardens. I was looking for the Green Winged Teal that my neighbor saw and photographer so nicely last week. Didn’t find the Teals, but I did find two other new ducks that some friendly passing birders helped me identify. First, I saw a small flock that the birders told me were Ring-necked Ducks, a medium sized diving duck only found in this area during its migration. The ring around its neck is very faint, however, the ring around its beak is very prominent!
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ring-necked_Duck.html

Then I saw a single duck by itself, which they identified as an American Widgeon. This duck is a dabbling duck and eats vegetation off of the bottom. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Wigeon.html

All in all, a lovely early spring afternoon walk!!! I hope you, also, were able to get out and enjoy the lovely weather we had Friday and Saturday!