Have you noticed the red-winged blackbirds are back? I started seeing males about a week ago and now there are loads of them around. The arrival of these boys is a harbinger of spring, and if today is an example they’ve got it right.

I haven’t seen any females yet, but that isn’t unexpected. The boys come north first and check out the local real estate market weeks before the girls fly north to join them. If you’re not familiar with these birds, you may not be aware that the females look nothing like the males. Sure, their bills are similar but the female red-winged blackbirds are a dark brown bird with streaks and a yellowish area around the bill.