14-April through 20-April
April is in full swing, and with it comes an incredible surge of bird activity here in Arlington, VA. From daily sightings to behavior patterns and diversity trends, I’ve been logging and analyzing data as part of my “Searching with Shoe” birding project. Whether you’re a seasoned birder, a data enthusiast, or just curious about nature in your neighborhood, this week’s insights offer a fun, accessible look into what our feathered neighbors have been up to. Let’s dive into the data from April 14 to April 20.
📊 Most Frequently Spotted Birds
There were no big surprises this week at the top of the leaderboard. House Finches, Canada Geese, and Double-crested Cormorants were the most frequently spotted. These species are comfortable in suburban and urban settings, so seeing them leading the pack is not unusual. That said, seeing a strong presence from European Starlings and Red-winged Blackbirds rounding out the top ranks was nice.
House Sparrow
Often overlooked, House Sparrows are the scrappy city birds that show up anywhere, rooftops, parking lots, or even just outside the coffee shop.
Tree Swallow
Tree Swallows are one of spring’s first color pops, they zip like nature's jet pilots, but every once in a while, they pose like runway models.
🕊️ Behavior Observations
The behavioral data was especially fascinating this week. Flocking and foraging remain dominant, but the rise in nest building stood out. That, combined with sightings of courtship displays and defensive behaviors, tells me that local nesting activity is likely ramping up. I’ll be keeping an eye out for juvenile sightings in the coming weeks.
🌡️ Sightings vs Temperature
Looking at sightings against temperature, it’s clear that birds were active even when the mornings started cool, particularly around 55–60°F. While we might associate warmer days with more activity, spring behavior is often more influenced by migratory triggers and breeding routines than sunshine.
Male Mallard Duck
I always love catching the little moments, like this water droplet that somehow clung on mid-paddle. Mallards never look rushed, even when they're on the move.
🧠 Bird Diversity Over Time
Each day brought a slightly broader mix of species. By April 20, I recorded eight species in one session, the highest daily diversity this month. This could be the front edge of more significant spring migration activity.
Northern Mockingbird
This mockingbird was mid-scout, tail twitching and head on a swivel. These little mimics are masters of every neighborhood soundtrack.
🎯 Weekly Goal Progress
My April goal is to log 600 sightings, and as of April 20, I’ve recorded 414, keeping me right on pace. The pacing chart has helped show how small daily efforts add up quickly. I’ve been ahead of target on more days than not, which has been encouraging.
🪶 Wrapping Up
This was one of the more exciting weeks so far this spring. Between more substantial diversity, signs of nesting, and a healthy total count of sightings, the week had a little bit of everything. I’m especially curious to see whether behavior trends shift further toward nesting and chick-rearing in the coming days.
As always, thanks for joining me on this journey. Whether checking in for bird facts, data visualizations, or just a peek at what’s flying around Arlington, I hope you find it fun and inspiring. Let’s see what next week brings!