Longer days

Eastern Phoebe in the Spring --
photo by Cal Vornberger http://www.calvorn.com


The days are getting longer. At its earliest, sunset was at 4:28pm. That was on December 12th. Today the sun sets at 4:37pm. Those nine minutes make a difference. Of course sunrise is still getting later each day, and won't start receding until January 10th, when our star will rise at 7:19am, one minute earlier than the day before. Even though the Early birders are meeting a half hour later these days, it is still not full day in the park at 7:30am

Well, you can't have everything. The days are getting longer and the whole animal kingdom feels it. Even homo sapiens senses the change,[ and we are not the kingdom's most sensitive subjects, after all.] The red-tailed hawks will soon begin serious nest building and love making-- all because of the longer days. The squirrels and raccoons will be family minded. The grackles are already gathering in huge flocks. Within weeks we'll start hearing [on warmer days] the spring calls of the cardinals and titmice.

The arrival of the Eastern Phoebe, one of the earliest spring migrants, is less than three months away . I'll be in the park looking for it around March 12th.and then for the next few days. It's sure to arrive by March 17th. Maybe I'll see you there.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, website friends!