Date: Fri, 2 May 2003 21:39:02 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Chris Starling Subject: Perry Point 5/02 Greetings, This afternoon I was joined by Finnish birder Tuomo Neinimen at the Perry Point VA Center. We attempted to bird the grounds however not a whole lot was flying or singing at two in the afternoon. Despite this we did manage to see a good number of Goldfinches. Other birds of note included Blue Grosbeak, Savannah Saprrow, Common Yellowthroat, and Red-eyed Vireo. Later I went back out hoping that the cooler temperatures would produce more birds. A lot more birds were singing however, they seemed to be mostly our usual woodland suspects (ie. Cardianl, Chickadee, etc...). However I did manage to find a few new birds this evening. The Blue Grosbeak was found in the same spot that he was earlier. He was joined on the same branch by an Indigo Bunting which provided a nice comparison (just like Miss Ott's). I also found a Swamp Sparrow that I believe has taken up residence (or at least temporary shelter) in a drain pipe hidden deep in a thicket of briar. While birding late I noticed a couple of Chimney Swifts flying high over head. This reminded me that the Chimny Swift roost on the property may once again be active. At dusk I went to the chimney in question and sure enough two swifts were there circling it. Forty-five minutes past and more and more swifts arrived. My total count for the swifts taking up roost in the chimney here at Perry Point was 70. Last fall this chimney supported at least 2500 swifts in early September. I will surely be watching this area closely for swift population changes. If anyone would like directions to this roost please eamil me off the board. Good Birding, Chris Starling North East, MD christopher.starling@med.va.gov ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================