By RAY POPE

Warm, cold, warm, cooler, how about some real spring like weather? I believe that is what the majority of us are waiting for. Thunderstorms moved through here last night pelting us with hard driving rain that really had my wind chime ringing out in a constant tune. Now it is too wet to work in the yard which will look like a jungle before I have time to cut it.

This past Saturday morning still had the sting of cold to it when Carole Young picked me up for a morning of bird watching. We headed over to the Don Fox Park to check out the birds and to see what was lurking about. Pools of rain stood in several areas and the Robins were knee deep looking for earthworms that came to the surface to keep from drowning.

By RAY POPE

Warm, cold, warm, cooler, how about some real spring like weather? I believe that is what the majority of us are waiting for. Thunderstorms moved through here last night pelting us with hard driving rain that really had my wind chime ringing out in a constant tune. Now it is too wet to work in the yard which will look like a jungle before I have time to cut it.

This past Saturday morning still had the sting of cold to it when Carole Young picked me up for a morning of bird watching. We headed over to the Don Fox Park to check out the birds and to see what was lurking about. Pools of rain stood in several areas and the Robins were knee deep looking for earthworms that came to the surface to keep from drowning. Down by Sinking (Town) Creek there were several songs coming out of the underbrush which finally flew up just long enough for us to identify. Tufted Titmouse singing their familiar song, "Peter, Peter, Peter," gave way to the Carolina Chickadee, which sings his name, "Chick a de de dee," all around the creek area as the birds sought to locate a mate and start the reproductive parts of their lives. Eastern Bluebirds sat patiently on tree limbs scanning the grass for any movements. Then like a bolt of lightning, they made a quick swoop to capture some insect that didn't see it coming.

I looked all over for a Bluebird house and never found a single one. They must be planning to nest in a small, hollow place or an old Downey Woodpecker hole. There were several Downeys in the myriad of trees there. While watching the beautiful Bluebirds, Carole saw a small bird flitting about in the same tree. Finally after hiding behind the limbs, it flew down to the ground where we could get a good look at it. Even though it never tried singing, it was plain to see that it was a Chipping Sparrow. Maybe in the next few weeks the bird’s hormones will kick in where they will all be singing. That would be a good time to work with Karen Franklin on bird song identification.

We saw three Purple Martin houses that had been neglected and had House Sparrows living there. I'm not sure who placed them out in the first place, but whoever did should make it a point to keep them in better shape. If someone wouldn't mind, I would be glad to see if I could fix them up and get them back in working condition and kick the little English Sparrows out. Maybe I should talk to our Mayor, Mr. Philip Craighead to see if he would mind me taking care of them.

After just halfway around the walking trail, a concrete bench seemed inviting, so that’s where we made our first stop. Everyone on the walking path made it a point to say "Good Morning" and then brag about the wonderful weather we were having. We watched as several Goldfinches made their way through the treetops. As we were leaving the bench, I noticed a Great Blue Herron gliding just over the surface of the creek looking for a station from which he could stand as a silent sentinel waiting on some poor, unfortunate fish or maybe a crawdad to come within range. Other birds heard or seen were Rufous-sided Towhees, Yellow-rumped Warblers and one large Red-tailed Hawk.

After returning to my home I was wondering why the birds were so quite until we noticed a Cooper’s Hawk sitting in the tree at David Carver’s home next door. Its mate was circling around the neighborhood trying to flush out its dinner.

I have wanted to get several people together for a bird walk there at the park. City workers were busy removing the tarp at the small shallow pool that is a big draw to all the children and adults alike. It won't be too much longer before you hear the sound of excited boys and girls as they have a blast there.

Is there anyone trained to help injured songbirds here in Wilson County? Martha Adcock called me about an injured Goldfinch that didn't put up too much of a fight when her husband Eddie tried to catch him. Martha said that the bird had something wrong with its eye. Martha also sent me a recipe that included starlings as the main ingredient. Doesn't that sound yummy?

Walter and Zuelma Goodall called about their overprotective Mockingbird that does not allow any other bird around the feeding station. I have heard of several people with the same problem. There has been much speculation that the long, harder-than-usual winter weather had a lot to do with it. There are usually enough wild berries and other fruits that will last until the spring weather provides new growth of seeds and other food for the birds. This is also why I try to get the bird lovers here in Wilson County to keep their feeders out until new plants start the cycle of blooming and producing seed for their consumption.

I am not the only person having trouble with those nasty House Sparrows. I talked to Douglas Thurley on the phone asking for advice on how to rid himself of the little buggers. Roy Garr has sparrow traps at his Mt. Juliet store which allows you to catch them and release them someplace else. Like I have stated over and over, House Sparrows and Starlings are not a protected species and can be dealt with as seems fit. I don't recommend every one grab a gun and start shooting. Just take care of them in a safe way.

I would love to hear from you as to what's lurking about in your neighborhood and around your feeders. You can reach me C/O The Wilson Post or call me at 547-7371 or write me at 606 Fairview Ave, Lebanon, TN 37087 or e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it