For all of the years that I have kept records, flocks of northbound blackbirds (generally Grackles and Redwings at first) have arrived here between Feb. 14 and Feb 16.
This year, they appeared yesterday - Feb 24. That's a record in my book.
I do not understand why more people are not worried about global cooling.
Also, re birds, seen today: a happy little Golden-Crowned Kinglet.