On March 15, Luanne Johnson won the award for hearing the first red-winged blackbirds singing in a marsh.

It is finally getting a bit warmer, but since there is still snow on the ground, we need more signs of spring. This news about kestrels may help.

We have heard the increased volume of birds singing, especially in the mornings. These early vocalists include black-capped chickadees.

A recurring theme this week is that cold weather, wind, snow and ice make birds show up in unexpected places and do unexpected things.

This year’s annual Christmas Bird Count participants, 65 in the field and 29 watching their feeders, found more birds than we had in recent years.

“It’s all about the food.” This time of year and these icy conditions make this literally true for virtually all of the avian population.