>> yeah, usually they come during spring cause of how the marshes take forever to defrost fully and sprout up again. I always feel so bad when theyre here early.<<

That used to be the case here. Now the snow doesn't last near as long, but it still takes a while for the marsh plants to regrow. The cattails and the big weeds like mullein that the blackbirds rely on are summer plants that won't appear for months yet. I feel sorry for them too. Insects are starting to stir, but I don't know if those include what the blackbirds eat.

>> also nice! I have yet to see any eggs, its not the right photoperiod for most birds to be egg laying yet. but it will be shortly i think! <<

Ducks and geese are early nesters. Geese will start laying about when the grass greens up, because they eat grass. So if you see a flock of geese grazing, and a couple hunkered down hissing at anyone who comes close, they're laying.

I haven't seen other birds starting yet. The mourning doves are just beginning to court but I don't think they're serious. That usually happens later too.

This winter I've had a tufted titmouse and I really hope it sticks around. Spring and fall shuffle the deck on what birds I get.