Why not think about spring. It is a week into March, right? There are plenty of icicles. In fact, it seems unbelievable the icicles were dripping this week on the south sides of big things, even though the temperature of the air was at near record low temperatures. With the rising angle of the spring sun, even on single-digit days, there has been surprising amount of melting in sheltered, south facing exposures. As the temperatures continue to rise through the month, icicles should truly sing.

On the east side of Marquette, an interesting group of eight house finches have been regulars at a feeder station. Over the past 30 years or so, there has been an interesting relationship between house finches and house sparrows. House sparrows were once fairly well established in Marquette, with a relatively stable population downtown, especially around the intersection of Lakeshore Boulevard and Main Street.

House sparrows are invasive species introduced in Brooklyn, New York in 1851 from Europe. Except for the far north, they are found across the continent today. There were two more introductions into western states in 1871. Females are grayish brown with darker brown and tan markings. Males have reddish brown and gray-capped heads and striking black chin patches

During the 1980s, house finches begin to appear in Michigan, nesting in the state for the first time in 1982, and the house sparrow population began to decline. The finches are native to the western U.S. and Mexico but expanded their range across the entire country after captive birds in New York were released by a breeder. Both species are most common near human developments. As the house finch population has increased in Marquette the house sparrow population has dropped, as the sparrows are apparently out competed by the finches.

House finches are susceptible to a bacterial infection, mycoplasmal conjunctivitis. A highly contagious disease, its symptoms include noticeably red and swollen eyes. It affects the respiratory system but the biggest problem it creates is poor vision in birds making them less likely to spot predators. When the disease is prevalent and the finch population drops, the house sparrow population rises.

There have been a few pockets of house sparrows around Marquette recently, with at least 10 seen together in a flock between Washington and Main streets last November. This is where they are typically seen, near commercial buildings downtown and historically out in Marquette Township. Appearances at feeders have been rare. Recently eight house finches were seen at a feeder station on the east side of town. They seem to have adapted well to coming to feeders to take advantage of that food supply. Apparently, both are managing right now in town together.

Bohemian waxwings reappeared in Marquette the last day in February, showing up on the campus of NMU near Waldo and Lee streets. A flock of 21 was found in Pickford, Chippewa County on March 4. A few pine grosbeaks have also made appearances at a number of feeders across the area, but the larger flocks don’t seem to still be around.

Despite the return of subzero temperatures some birds have recognized the season with the longer days and have continued vocalizing as they begin to define their summer nesting territories. Northern cardinals have been the busiest, especially on the east side of Marquette. Mourning doves have also appeared at a number of area feeders after absences and have begun calling. Crows, chickadees and nuthatches have also begun calling and singing more. Since length of daylight, and not weather, control their behavior, they will continue to sing, call and defend territories as long as the winds are low.

A few red crossbills have also been spotted around Marquette Township and near Sugarloaf Mountain north of Marquette. These seed-eating finches have specially adapted bills with tips that cross over. It allows them to slide their beaks into conifer cones, pry them open and extract the seeds.

Also over in Chippewa County, a few snowy owls, northern shrikes and a northern goshawk have been reported this past week. A handful of pine grosbeaks have appeared at feeders there too.

The combination of unfavorable weather conditions have had a double whammy on birders recently as it has kept them out of the woods and off the roads, and back at home shoveling and clearing roofs. It has led to a relatively quiet period of birding. The hope will be for the return of the early migrators within the next week or so as ring-billed gulls start to return. Other early birds, eastern phoebes, woodcocks, ducks and geese will need to wait for the snow levels to drop and for ice on some lakes, at least the Great Lakes, to melt. It may be a slow spring, but still one that will be filled with music.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Scot Stewart is a teacher at Bothwell Middle School in Marquette and a freelance photographer.