Psaltriparus minimus--say that 10 times really fast

According to the bushtits (Psaltriparus minimus), nesting season has arrived. Within the past week, the little bushtit swarm that completely covered our suet feeder has pared to two birds.

Kenn Kaufman says that when winter bushtit flocks break up, the birds pair off to establish nesting territories but do not defend them, tolerating other bushtits even near the nest. Last year, I first noted the bushtits paired off on March 15, also observing that, four days later, three bushtits came to the suet feeder.

In the same way that family traditions provided comfort in my youth, I find peace in the consistent cycles of nature, especially the advent of spring. The first bright green sprigs of osoberry, the purple of crocuses and the songs of migration and nesting.