FIRST ROBIN: This is the earliest we ever remember getting one of these calls.

Ron Housler of Lantz Corners called on Thursday to say he saw his first robin.“I normally call in February or March,” he noted. “I saw one out today.”

Perhaps it is the spring-like weather on Thursday that had the bird out and about? Spring showers indeed.

Speaking of birds, we saw these ducks out swimming at Hamlin Lake Park in Smethport on Thursday.

They are not swimming in the lake — they are swimming in a puddle that formed in a grassy area of the park because of the snow melt and rain. Hamlin Lake is on the far side of the front row of trees in the photo.

It just struck us as so funny to see ducks swimming in a puddle next to a lake.

ROUNDABOUTS: Have you driven down North Union Street in Olean, N.Y., lately? How about those roundabouts.

The circular intersections aren’t something we see a whole lot around here. To help Pennsylvanians who could use some advice on how to navigate them, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation released a video Wednesday that may help.

“The video instructs viewers how to use both single and multi-lane roundabouts whether in a vehicle, on a bicycle or on foot,” PennDOT stated in a press release.

According to the agency, roundabouts are safer than traditional intersections.“National studies have shown that modern roundabouts reduce fatal crashes by up to 90 percent and result in a 75 percent reduction in injury-causing crashes. Modern roundabouts also improve pedestrian safety by allowing people to cross shorter distances with slower moving one-way traffic.”

To view the video, visit the PennDOT YouTube channel or go to http://www.penndot.gov/ProjectAndPrograms/RoadDesignEnvironment/RoadDesign/Pages/Roundabouts.aspx.