Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 14:35:01 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Kurt Schwarz Subject: OC Warb, RB Nut at Natl Arboretum The Orange-crowned Warbler was still present at the Asian Collection area of the National Arboretum today between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. I never found the maple referred to by Gail, but think I found the blooming bush she was referring to directly below the parking area. The Orange-Crowned Warbler, however, was ultimately found on a mature evergreen of some type across the little valley to the right of the area with all the blooming plant life, by a couple who had been searching for it. Alas, I've managed to forget their names. They called me over, and we all got to see the bird on the main trunk of the tree, which had apparently suffered the attention of generations of sapsuckers, where it appeared to be happily feeding. Way up the tree was a missing piece of bark, the bird also visited that place. It came to the trunk at least three times. When it left, it flew back across the valley to a site we never found. While there, I heard the Red-breasted Nuthatch. I ultimately spotted a bird that COULD have been it, but only got it back-lit. But the little tin horn was enough for me. To my knowledge, the Nashville was not sighted. Also about were numerous Ruby-Crowned Kinglets. An Eastern Towhee was heard calling repeatedly. A flock of 30 or so Fish Crows made a lot of noise. A Red-Tailed Hawk was seen soaring on the opposite side of the Anacostia. All-in-all, a great two hours, lovely weather, a long-sought life bird, which also counts as one of the two nice I put on my DC list today. Kurt Schwarz HowCo goawaybird@comcast.net ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================