Date: 1/20/13 10:11 am
From: Philip Brody <brodyps...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Re: Crazy yard frenzy, Bethesda, Mont. Co. 1/19


On Saturday, January 19, 2013 10:37:25 AM UTC-5, Jim Nelson wrote:
> We count birds in and around our small suburban yard each day, and things
> have been pretty ordinary so far this January.� But this morning, it went
> crazy.� We had the usual House Sparrows, House Finches, White-throated
> Sparrow, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, Mourning Doves, Tufted Titmouse,
> Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, and Downy, Hairy,
> and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. But we were deluged with American Robins and
> Starlings.� We had our first of the year (and first in many months) flock
> of Brown-headed Cowbirds.� And they were joined by Cedar Waxwing,
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue Jay, American Goldfinch, and, most impressive, an
> adult Bald Eagle flying by out to the west.� Couldn�t tear ourselves away
> from the windows.
>
> �
>
> Jim Nelson
>
> Bethesda, MD

We often have all of these and also a Northern Flicker,a Hairy Woodpecker and a pair of Plileated Woodpeckers These are regular, pretty sure the same birds. A Hermit Thrush has returned for several winters and I've seen it recently. Also Pine Siskins mixed in with the Goldfinches happily eating hulled Sunflower. The Cedar Waxwings were eating Privet berries but the berries are all gone now, eaten. The Cardinals and Robins are happy with Holly berries. The Starlings eat suet. No over flights of Bald Eagle just now but I've seen that also.We have a regular Wood Thrush, gone now of course. No flocks of Cowbirds but they are not unusual.

--