THE JUNCOS RETURN--

Another sign of the inexorable change of seasons occurred yesterday when several Juncos made their annual appearance at my birdfeeders.

These sparrow-sized birds left here in the spring; migrating to their breeding territory in the far north from Alaska to Newfoundland. While many of them will winter in Ohio others of their species will go south as far as the gulf states and northern Mexico.

They are uniformly gray or brownish gray on top and on the breast which then shows a sharp line of demarcation to a white abdomen. They usually show a pinkish bill and will flash white along the sides of the tail feathers in flight.

Small flocks of ten to twenty birds are not uncommon at my birdfeeders.

It's nice to see them arrive, but I will be even happier when it is time for their next departure.