It is 49º and clear with no wind at 6:30 a.m. when I start along the tracks 
in Marriottsville.  Found two Ruby-crowned Kinglets tumbling through the trees, 
an Eastern Phoebe at the bridge before the tunnel. Five Brown-headed cowbirds 
-- a vocal female attended by four weakly begging males; three Wood Ducks 
near the highway.  Two Pileated Woodpeckers called from the Carroll County side 
of the South Branch.  All the usual suspects; still plenty of White-throats and 
juncos.

At 9 a.m. I am at Centennial Lake where the Pintail pair is still present, 
along with 14 Ring-necked Ducks, a handful of Mallards and about fifty Canada 
Geese at the wildlife end of the lake.  At the deep end I find one Common Loon, 
one Pied-billed Grebe and watch as the two pintails fly south.  (Keep an eye 
on the other, nearby  lakes, they seem to like to wander.)  A single tree 
Swallow sweeps the lake.  Back at the wildlife area I come across two singing Brown 
Thrashers and find a nearby, skulking mate (?) in each case.  The only 
warbler: three Butterbuts.  I whiffed on the night-heron.

Every time I get out of the car today I hear a bluebird singing his heart out.

Lou Nielsen
Reisterstown, MD


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