A bluebird has been seen in Carver County according to a report filed on the email network of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. The same gentleman also saw three Yellow-rumped Warblers that day, about a week ago. Those birds are really pushing things. I'm wondering if I should check the boxes I maintain on a golf course near our home. There's not much I could do regardless, except look in wonder if birds are present, and shut the box doors. A closed nest box would offer shelter. The boxes I use have front panels that swing up to allow inspection. I leave them open in the winter to discourage House Sparrows, mice, wasps, and bumblebees. I make my final maintenance round (40 boxes) in late fall, but I 've opened boxes more than once to find a nest of bees or wasps. Early and late dates for sightings of particular birds species in Minnesota can be found in a 1987 book entitled "Birds of Minnesota," by Robert Janssen. Yellow-rumped Warblers usually were not seen before April 10, according to Bob's records. The earliest date he lists is March 26. For Eastern Bluebird, he gives an early date of Feb. 27. Of course, those dates are 25 years old, no longer pertinent given the direction climate is moving. "Usual" or "regular" dates for almost any migrant bird have less meaning with each spring.

Birding is a lot different now than it was in 1987, and we're just gettting started with the change.