Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2002 10:36:31 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM> Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM> From: Chris Starling <Christopher.starling@MED.VA.GOV> Subject: Hance's Point Yard (Norht East, Cecil County, MD) I had a rare chance to spend some daytime at my house Wednesay (12/4) and Thursday (12/5). Wednesday I was home nursing my wife who is recovering from foot surgery. I took advantage of being home a birded the yard that afternoon. It was fun to see what has arrived this fall to take up residence in and around the yard. Juncos, Towhees, Song, White-throated, and House Sparrows are in the laurel along Shelter Cover (North East River). Sharp-shinned, and Cooper's Hawk were checking out my feeder with the Sharpie making several attempts at lunch. (the Cooper's was a new yard bird for me). A pair of Eagles came in late in the afternnon to roost on thier usual snag. They are mature adult birds that I believe nest near by -possibly on my in-laws property (i'll look for nest in the coming weeks). the only other bird of note on Wednesday was Hermit Thrush that I found under a dense Blue Spruce. Thursday I was home nursing my wife and watching the snow fall from the clouds. 9 inches of snow in my driveway! 18 species at my feeder including the Sharpie, I had a feeling he'd be back. Around 2, I strapped on the cross-country skis and headed out to see what else I could conjur up. the Eagles returned to the afore-mentioned spot, and a Buteo sp. was seen flying over the cove by my wife (red-tailed?). 4 Woodpecker's and W.B. Nuthatch were also seen. As was the Hermit Thrush. This time the thrush was seen along the muddy bank that border's my property and Shelter Cove Swamp -I was looking for Winter Wren -no luck. Below is a list of yard birds seen the past two days: At the Feeders: D.E. Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow House Sparrow House Finch A. Goldfinch Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Carolian Wren White-Breasted Nuthatch Downy woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird Red-winged Blackbird Mourning Dove Northern Cardianl Sharp-shinned Hawk Other Birds In Yard or Flying Over: Great Blue Heron Canada goose Ring-billed Gull Cooper's Hawk Buteo Sp. (probable Red-tailed) Bald Eagle Northern Flicker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Hermit Thrush A. Robin A. Crow Blue Jay Eastern Towhee 31 total species. * A Kestral was seen in Elkton on the wires along US40 on Wednesday morning too. ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================