If you have just seen a Bluebird and are jumping up and down with joy and excitement thinking it is a sign of spring — stop jumping. Not only do they winter here, but according to my bird Guru, in Maine and New Hampshire as well. Sorry, but we will have to wait for March for other signs.

Not much doing in the Back 40 as far as I can see from my window (I just don’t go out in the cold) but a beautiful young doe came through the gate and stood in some weeds while my little hunter barked and barked and the deer just stood wondering where that noise was coming from as deer don’t see very well. I had the chance, using my binoculars, to see the white rings around her eyes and nose, so pretty. Finally she walked away and I saw to my sorrow she had a wound on her left hind leg, so she didn’t run. If by some strange reason you are feeding corn to the deer in your yard, don’t. A lecturer from DEM says that a deer’s metabolism changes for the winter and they can’t digest it.

I certainly hope that my next letter will find us warmer and drier (I know, be careful what you wish for).

Sidney Tynan

Little Compton