Osprey at Bennington Lake

The osprey is back at Bennington Lake.  We saw it this morning on our weekly walk.  There is water in the lake now and there were a few mallards, wigeons and canada geese.  Tree swallows and a violet-green swallow were circling over the bench that overlooks the lake.  There was still a northern shrike and four Townsend's solitaires - I imagine they will be off to their nesting sights soon.  The birds were all singing today - even a ruby-crowned kinglet, and we watched a black-capped chickadee excavating a hole in a snag.  We saw a beautiful pair of kestrels, a pair of northern harriers and a rough-legged hawk.  Even though it was windy, the warm temperatures made for a very pleasant walk.  Every week should bring in more birds now - I love spring!   Ginger