Sitting in an apple tree by the Old Field area, this handsome dove is one of only a few this winter. It has been awhile since we had up to 30 at a time during the winter around the Ash Woods, in the Ravine and sitting here, by the Old Field. It was quite the sight to see so many doves lined up along branches or sitting on top of the vine covered snag near the feeder, catching the sun's rays. On cloudy days, they would hide in the vine tangle, or huddle deep within one of the large spruce nearby.

Once again, birds were few. The most interesting sighting was of a raven in the arboretum collecting nesting material. It was scraping soft bark off a dead tree branch until it had a great mouthful, and then flew off. All the while it was working it was besieged by crows who raise the same ruckus over ravens that they do over raptors.