Regardless of what the calendar says, and never mind on which day the vernal equinox lies — as far as I’m concerned, the first day of spring is the day the first Red-winged Blackbird arrives to stake his claim over the marshes and fields that I like to wander.  Midway through the second week of March they’ll appear, often long before winter loosens its grip: soldierbirds screaming a battle cry of ogalee-geee! from dry cattails and bare branches.

And with the blackbirds leading the invasion, other birds start to appear.  Within days I’ll see my first Song Sparrow of the season, my first Common Grackle, my first Brown-headed Cowbird.  The influx of migrants and welcome return of birdsong will soon overshadow the red-wings, but none are quite the sight for sore eyes.