Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 05:43:58 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Norm Saunders Subject: Backyard monitor systems Last summer there was an article in one of ABA's publications (probably the newsletter) about monitoring bird sounds in your backyard with an inexpensive commercially-available baby monitor. I have to admit to being a bit skeptical but I was able to find a monitor on one of those kiddy websites (even the website smells like talcum powder) and set it up down here at the shore for about $45. The transmitter is mounted outdoors on the breezweay between the house and the garage and facing into the marsh behind our house. I take the receiver with me into whatever room I happen to be in. The results are outstanding! For example, various species of frogs have been talking to each other sporadically all night long. The first cardinal of the day began sounding off at exactly 5:30 a.m. Robins are now beginning to awaken and chat with each other. As it begins to get lighter, the house will be filled with early-morning bird song. Throughout the day we'll be able to hear what's going on in the backyard. I'm especially hoping to get tipped off early to the presence of Chuck- will's-widows, possibly a Whip-poor-will, and both Great Horned and Eastern Screech Owls. My big hope is that some morning I will hear the scream of a Barn Owl returning to her roost for the day. Is there anyone else out there using this approach to monitoring yard birdsong? Best, Norm ======================= Norm Saunders Colesville & West Ocean City, MD marshhawk@att.net ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================