Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 08:12:33 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Fred Shaffer Subject: Recent sightings & bird behavior I saw several interesting birds and bird behavior the last 2 days (May 15 & 16): Yesterday morning I saw the display flight of a Ruby Throated Hummingbird over a small willow-oak at the swampy edge of Schoolhouse Pond. Yesterday evening I saw two American Crows appear to grasp claws thirty or forty feet up and spin in a circle almost to the ground before chasing after each other. This was at a turf farm near Crofton. Than, in Overbrook Park in Bowie I had a male Scarlet Tanager, several Wood Thrush, and a probable Alder Flycatcher. I heard both the song and the call notes clearly, as well as saw the underside of the bill, which showed no gray towards the tip. Nearby singing Acadian Flycatchers provided an interesting contrast. This morning at Schoolhouse Pond I saw a Pileated Woodpecker feeding two young in a cavity of a tall, dead tree. Also present was a singing Canada Warbler, many Parula, Redstarts, and two Blackpoll Warblers. Broods of Carolina Wren are about. Fred Shaffer Patuxent Bird Club fshaffer3@aol.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================