From the Archive: Originally published Mar 21, 2004 on the old Firefox/Pinstripe-era blog.

stuff

Waiting on the 4:30 birdie

Kevin Mar 21, 2004

The birds have been returning to New England over the past month. From my porch I can see jays, crows, robins, cardinals, and I can hear the occasional woodpecker. Over the past few years, in late March or early April, a single bird, an american robin I think, sits in a tree outside our window and sings its little lungs out in the early morning. It’s a strange thing to hear because there is almost no other bird chatter at that time. My girlfriend and I call this the “4:30 birdie”. Spring may have sprung, but the season won’t have truly changed until the 4:30 birdie arrives.

Comments

The Girlfriend on 2004-03-24 11:30:41

Let me know when the FTB arrives. Lots of birds here in England and lots of watchers as well.

But have not heard any that compare with the FTB.

Jon H on 2004-04-02 18:24:41

If the song is really complicated, long, and repetitive, it might be a mockingbird.

They're neat. I love watching one chase after a much larger crow, yelling at it and even touching the crow when it can.