Through this summer in our small back yard, we have had a number of observations of individual Song Sparrows feeding a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird (far enough apart that they represent different broods). Today we were amazed to see a Song Sparrow feeding TWO juvenile Cowbirds. Over the years we have seen Song Sparrows feeding Cowbirds in our yard but never any other species feeding Cowbirds. So here in Bethesda, Montgomery County, it appears that Song Sparrows are the primary hosts for our local Cowbirds.
On a slightly different note, our single Butterfly Bush was covered with 12 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies this afternoon, the most we have ever seen in our yard. They were all fresh in appearance, so apparently a bunch of adults just emerged.
Jim Nelson
Bethesda, MD
--
|