F O S
- eaglesandowls816
- Apr 21
- 2 min read
Spend any time with bird watchers, and you'll eventually hear them mention "FOS" when observing a certain bird. "FOS" stands for "first of season" and signifies the first sighting of a bird in a given year or season. Even for birds seen annually, this phrase captures the excitement of witnessing a returning migrant. I eagerly anticipate several birds each year and use "FOS" when I finally spot them. These include Purple Martins, Chimney Swifts, Mississippi Kites, Dickcissels, Summer Tanagers, Orioles, and many others.
The challenges of migration are significant, and each bird that returns safely is a triumph for their species, whose numbers are likely declining. We celebrate their arrival, hoping that our enthusiasm and excitement will spread the love of birds and their conservation.
This past Easter Sunday morning's storms brought us a wave of "FOS" birds. We found 19 Mississippi Kites in a single tree on our way home from the sunrise service. We quickly retrieved our cameras and returned to their location in the pouring rain, watching them rest and bathe in the storm. We then spotted other new arrivals, including Dickcissels and Orchard Orioles. While driving our favorite back road, we noticed a flash of yellow. Was it a forgotten Easter egg from a hunt? No, it was an American Goldfinch in its full spring glory. We rarely see goldfinches in their vibrant spring attire, so this lingering individual was a delight!
Alongside these spring songbirds announcing their arrival to the world and potential mates, we observed others dealing with the challenges of parenthood. A chickadee was busy removing fecal sacs from young ones nestled inside a metal fence pipe, bluebirds in every field seemed to be collecting caterpillars nonstop to feed hungry babies in houses and cavities, and Lark Sparrows were completing their nest construction in anticipation of their own upcoming brood.
New life, new arrivals, fond farewells to those just visiting. We welcome them all. Each and every one is a miracle on the wing.
Comments