Early spring brings a new moth species as well as first of the season avian arrivals - Phoebes, Field Sparrows, Pectoral Sandpipers, Yellow-headed Blackbirds and more

How do I love thee, small mothies? Let me count the ways. Seriously, the joy of documenting the tiny world of moths, insects and other beings drawn to the sheet at night has begun in earnest for the year. I worry about adding light pollution and disrupting these beings' natural rhythms with my enormous desire to peek into their world, but I am putting those concerns on hold and trusting the calling for now. Roland's Sallow moths, Small Phigalia Moths and Speckled Fruitworm have been some of the early ones to show up, all thrills as they are harbingers of spring. A new moth species on the brink of getting a name by Richard Lee Brown, appeared in my yard - a Chimoptesis species. Another new species of insect for me, the Dusty-winged Lacewing, recently made an appearance. Numerous Hypena scabra continue to delight in their beauteous variation. A number of Epinotia species I've not photographed before have shown up in greater variation, impossible to narrow down to species as I don't collect, only photograph.

Our first of the spring Phoebe arrived at Carondelet three days ago, as did a number of Field Sparrows along with a Brown Thrasher. Blue winged Teal have been arriving and passing through. Wood Ducks are on the move, as we saw our first pair at Carondelet the other day. They are in our area all winter, but not at Carondelet Park in the city. When they move through Carondelet, another rite of passage of spring is occurring.

Just yesterday, our first of spring Tree Swallows and Pectoral Sandpipers brought great joy. We've continued to relish the presence of numerous duck species (particularly the Ruddy Ducks that are really looking so very ruddy against those stunning blue bills!), Wilson's snipe and the young Great Horned Owl babes that have yet to branch. One has stood on the edge of the nest and flapped her wings, but plopped right back into the cavity when the wind seemed too frightening to contend with. Double-crested Cormorants and American White Pelicans are increasing in number and on the move. Snow Geese are still in the area, as are a few Trumpeter Swans.

An immature Red-tailed Hawk gave us a thrill when we noticed one 'red' adult feather in his tail. After some research, we learned this was 'adventitious' as it was only one, not the normal symmetrical molt - and that as the year progresses, he or she will eventually molt all her immature tail feathers and get that stunning red tail.

Blackbirds are continuing everywhere, including 100s of Rusty Blackbirds (such a relief, as their numbers have been dwindling drastically), and the Red-winged Blackbirds are turfing out. It's a joy to watch them display those gorgeous red epaulets. Yellow-headed Blackbirds are appearing in the mix of hundreds of congregating Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Starlings and Rusties at areas like Columbia Bottom Conservation Area yesterday. Common redpolls continued in big numbers in our area, so we visited a friend who was seeing five at his feeders in Florissant. Wow. We might have seen our last Short-eared Owl for the season about a week ago. We wish them well in their endeavors north of us. Live long and prosper, beloveds! (Yeah, I really adore Spock.)

And I would be remiss to not mention that Spring Beauty is starting to make it's big splash across the land. As I typed, a Hairy Woodpecker is pounding away outside my window, calling me to get outside and continue to take notice!

(I took a walk after writing all that and saw my first Goatweed Leafwing of the season! And a first of the season Yellow-rumped Warbler in the park. Although they are in the outlying areas over the winter, when they come through Carondelet Park in St. Louis City, they are on the move! More migration marvelousness!)

Posted on March 21, 2022 05:16 PM by