JUST ONE morning ago, the half-moon crystal clarity of the night reluctantly yielded to the grace of another beautiful spring day. Now, big, fat, white spoiler snowflakes are falling on the first-green of the birches, on the daffodils, on the backs of the insulted Robins. The daffodils and the blossoming branches of the shadblow buckle and bow under winter’s final burden.

But the birds, on they come, traveling in migration non-stop across continents, speeding through the night, across huge bodies of water, sometimes hundreds, even thousands of miles, to reach their destinations. High in the pines and among the yellow green of the deciduous trees in early spring garb, you can hear their songs and engaging chatter.

At the feeders today, a wellknown favorite winter bird, the Junco, hops around on the ground, scratching up seed remnants dropped by careless cousins on the feeder above. The Junco’s beak is coarse and well-adapted for cracking seeds. This bird does not depend on the flood of warm weather insects, and thus does not need to migrate. The Junco is a little grey bird that looks as though it swam in a can of whitish paint. Its high trill in the woods lets you know it’s not far away.

The Purple Finch and its close relative, the House Finch, flash rich, rosy colors in the trees. They, too, are seed eaters, and are present throughout the winter. They hop onto the feeders, then off, then onto the ground to gather their food. Stuck like glue to the sunflower and thistle feeders are the American Goldfinches, also well-adapted to our winters. These gorgeous lemon yellow birds are in breeding plumage now, even though they will not nest until late summer when their young can be assured of thistle seeds, their favorite food. The Evening Grosbeak looks sort of like a giantsize Goldfinch and joins its smaller friends at the feeder. This bird is experiencing a serious population decline, as are many of our wild feathered friends.

Mourning Doves prowl around the base of the feeders. They work the ground intently along with a couple of chipmunks whose cheeks are bulging with prized seeds to store. An elegant Yellow-shafted Flicker is poised nearby, observing. A Ruffed Grouse drums in the woods near the edge of the meadow.

Then, it’s as though someone waved a magic wand: in a heartbeat, every bird evaporates. The resident Sharp-shinned Hawk cruises silently above the tree line, not a particular threat at this moment, but perhaps scoping out the territory for future dining opportunities. This hawk likes to raid feeding stations year ‘round, and takes no prisoners. It is several minutes before the wary diners return.

Recently-returned Tree Swallows twitter and glide above the meadow. Two have already staked a claim on the newest nest box we intended for Bluebirds. Up high into the sky the swallows rise together, performing amazing acrobatics while moving as one, a mere inch or two apart. This mated pair then perches as guardians on the box, making clear to all comers who’s at home. You snooze, you lose.

Bluebirds, whose arrival we still await, show up much later than other cavity nesters, and this has helped place them at some peril. This lovely gentle member of the thrush family is very picky about its residence and requires some specific adaptations for successful placement of a nesting site. Through good research and public involvement, recovery projects have helped stabilize their decline over the years.

At St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, on a final bike ride, the bubbly song of the Bobolink rose from the grasses. These birds had just arrived and are now making their way north. Bobolinks are among the birds in the most serious decline. Their nesting needs include grassy fields and meadows, of which there are fewer every day. Farmers’ efforts to delay mowing until the nesting season has passed have afforded some relief to this beautiful bird, but the crisis continues.

In a week, the warblers will arrive. These jewels of the woods are difficult to identify once the trees leaf out, but their beautiful colors are worth the effort. Their songs are springtime celebrations.

Join the many people who take time in their lives to observe the birds. You can find them making their homes in soft meadows and cool, green forests, near ponds and rushing waters. Who can resist such a special treat as this?