Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2000 13:25:23 EDT Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Dianne & Andy Subject: RS Hawk nest - Silver Spring Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed I went out for a walk today during lunch fully intending to NOT look at any birds that I recognized because I wanted to keep moving. I took my binoculars along just in case, of course. About 60 seconds into my walk, I happened upon a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK nest, which I'd never seen before, even though I'd been to the area (location described below) plenty of times. I witnessed the male hawk circle around and then dive and swoop in through the trees to bring the female on the nest a mouse to eat! I saw her holding it by the tail in her mouth. The male left rather quickly and I watched the female for a few more minutes as she settled back on the nest and kept an eye out for whatever she was keeping an eye out for. I stayed where I was and watched a squirrel doing gymnastics on a maple tree eating seeds out of the "helicopters." A little while later I happened upon a chipmunk with cheeks stuffed bigger than any others that I've seen in person. I also spent 10 minutes chasing something making a very distinct noise. As I finally found it and was able to get my binoculars on it, it flew away, out of sight and almost out of earshot (too bad it was time to return to the office). I know that I will spend a few more lunch breaks out there in search of whatever that was. I also saw my first female Eastern Towhee of the year and there was a beautiful Belted Kingfisher along the stream making lots of noise. Most of the noise today was, as usual, created by Downy Woodpeckers, Flickers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and White-breasted Nuthatches. What a gorgeous day to be able to spend some time outside. Dianne Depuy Laurel, MD Location of RS Hawk nest: Silver Spring, MD - Valley Mill Special Park, Randolph Road, ~1/2 - 1 mile West of Rte 29 (where new bridge was recently constructed). Follow the paved trail into the woods to the first opening on the left, where there are steps up to a pond. The nest is to the left, across the pond. It is easily viewed from the mown area to the left of the steps. ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================