I would like to echo the pleasure felt by the song of the Song Sparrows in
the winter.About one week ago I encountered two Song Sparrows singing. It
was a clear morning with a little warmth in the sun and two sparrows were
singing lustily about thirty feet apart. Their song was not loud but audible
for at least sixty feet. It was perhaps the hint of spring in the air that
caused the Song Sparrows to express themselves so clearly.These two birds
were only a few feet apart, counter-singing to each other, but not the usual
territorial counter-singing that I hear in the nesting season. Other birds
that sometimes sing a few familiar notes on a clear winter morning are
Robin, Varied Thrush and Spotted Towhee.

There are always some birds singing on my winter walks, such as Winter Wren,
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Pine Siskin, Common
Raven and Northwestern Crow. The abundant Red Crossbill this winter, singing
from the conifers, have perhaps provided me with the most music to muse
upon.
Submitted John Neville
songbird at saltspring.com
www.nevillerecording.com