Photo by Susan Crossett

I know “April surprises” are hardly unusual. This year one wondered only when that surprise would end.

Ten inches I measured in April, adding that to the earlier 204-plus of the season. The snowmobile trails were empty and I imagine the ski resorts were preparing for summer. And yet the snow fell. On the 21st my decks were still so snow-covered as to render them useless for walking. The compost had to wait at least another day.

I heard an announcer complain about our three solid weeks of cloudy days. Could that possibly be? I checked. Some sun for a while on the 13th but, really, nothing but gray between the second and the twentieth. I figured we were due.

I certainly don’t wish a repeat — ever. And yet … and yet there were beautiful surprises, occurring, I suspect, only because of the unusual weather.

Last week I wrote about sighting the loon. a new wonder in my life. One day we counted three and, thinking I was shooting a duck while waiting for the loon to resurface, I discovered I had photographed a second loon, this one wearing a blue vest. I presume it had been marked for research. (I learned later his was simply a different breeding plumage.) I lacked only the time to complete a more accurate count over these days.

Loons indeed! But that was just the beginning. Three quiet turkeys in the yard were only frightened by some movement I made (I had not seen them there) and took to an awkward (and very noisy) wing.

Papa Goose continues his lonely watch as the days for hatching near. I hadn’t seen her nest until spotting it after a second look at a picture I had taken for a future column on trees. She’s far away this year, as distant as she could be and yet remain within my vision (now that I know where to look).

Robins sing and soar around, especially now that the showers are temporarily at an end. Their solid warble pleases me so.

The “usuals” crowd the feeder: junco, chickadee, sparrows, both tree and song, nuthatch, titmouse, an occasional purple finch pair and the annoying (if only because so much larger and pushier) cowbirds, redwings and grackles. The jays let me know they’re here, now that I can easily reach the peanut feeder. Have my beloved red-belly woodpeckers truly departed? I treasured their touch of exoticism.

Crows are common — large and loud — and the heron flies in to check, happy to stop once the skim of ice shows signs of permanent retreat. It was nice to welcome the cormorant back briefly. What did it think of the loons nearby?

The ring-necked ducks (more easily identified by the white ring on their bills) have been plentiful this month but having two female red-breasted mergansers along the shore was a happy bonanza. And, while Cornell annually insists wood ducks aren’t here at this time, I was able to send pictures for confirmation.

One barn swallow surprised me by almost running into the house just beyond my window. No mistaking that orange belly and forked tail. Marking the rufous-sided towhee’s return was also a surprise, It’s arrival seemed quite early but my notes show me it’s right on time. (It’s only all that snow which was not on schedule.)

A very young white-crowned sparrow led me back to RTPI for help. That white-crown is caramel-colored. Who’d have guessed?

A huge hawk circled in and stayed. I’m supposing it’s the red-shoulder in for a closer visit.

Quick glance and just two or three shots. Could that be a Golden-winged Warbler at the suet feeder? The yellow in its wings is terribly bright and striking but it isn’t a bird I feel I should know. Seems quite unlikely. If confirmed, that would be another first. (I thank patient Twan Leenders at RTPI for this correction as well: it’s a Yellow-rumped Warbler.)

There are times I wish I could see into the near future. Should I be celebrating all the unusual birds congregating here right now — or am I “safe” wanting to share my discoveries with you? My den lacks windows so I can only imagine what’s taking place outside.

OK, time! Out I go.

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Susan Crossett has lived outside Cassadaga for more than 20 years. A lifetime of writing led to these columns as well as two novels. “Her Reason for Being” was published in 2008 with “Love in Three Acts” following in 2014. Both novels are now available at Lakewood’s Off the Beaten Path bookstore. Information on all the Musings, her books and the author may be found at Susancrossett.com.