Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2003 04:21:47 -0700 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Sue Hamilton Subject: Northern Parula Warblers MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii A few days ago I saw a pair of parulas come down to the ground, almost at my feet. Actually, it was the female which came to the ground, and started pulling up small bits of grass or vine rootlets, which she flew off with. (The male was nearby, about a foot above her.) Since then I have been trying to decide whether I saw what I thought I saw. (Nest building??) Kathy Klimkiewicz refers in her article on this species in the Atlas book to the late egg date as June 14. She says fledging time is unkown & there is no evidence of double brooding. However, this species is still 'safe' until August 15th. Most warbler species fledge in less than two weeks, I believe. SO. Does the family just hang around feeding? Or could I have seen a female trying to fix up the nest for a second attempt? Kathy also says that only 12% of the records of this species were confirmed, because the nests are high and well concealed. It is a very common species in my home block; however, the map shows it was 'probable' last time. The experience of watching the bird so close up -- so neat. Unbelievable what a small warbler it is. Altho the literature says they occasionally feed on the ground, I have never seen them do so -- in spring or summer. ( Fall is another story) The only other time I have witnessed possible nest building was when the nest was relatively low, near a bench on the Battle Creek Swamp trail. Sue Hamilton, Calvert __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================