There are several species that everyone enjoys seeing in the spring as it signals better weather is coming.

Our spring equinox, the start of the astronomical spring, comes on March 20 at 5:01 a.m. (I have not researched how they come up with the exact to the minute 5:01 time).

Many people are still feeding birds since influential organizations believe that it is safe to feed birds as the bird flu does not commonly infect songbirds.

In a much appreciated sign of the coming spring, red-winged blackbirds have returned. Randy Rynd was the first to report singing red-wings near her Oak Bluffs home on Feb. 22, and since then there have been more arrivals.

Last week, I sat at my desk lamenting the fact that I hadn’t had the chance to get much birding in the past week between work and poor weather.

I have taken down my bird feeders following a recommendation from Brice Boutot, the Edgartown health agent, due to dead birds on the Island testing positive for avian flu.