Blackbird fly

The arrival of feathered friends is a sure sign of spring

For me both the sight and song of the red-winged blackbird heralds the beginning of spring. Males are easily identified by their glossy black appearance interrupted with a brilliant patch of red bordered in yellow on their broad shoulders. Males are highly polygynous, mating on average with five females and reports of up to 15.

CAPTION: YVONNE BUYS PHOTO: GRAHAM KEENAN