Folks working backward.

Two new year yard birds arrived today.  An early morning deck sit produced my first Summer Tanager for the house (#91 year yard bird).  Later in the afternoon my first Catbird showed up (#92).  Mid day I did some scouting for the Southern Maryland Audubon Society birdathon, and found a House Wren (#174 for the county year list) on Rt. 225 near the new shorebird spot.  The shorebirds today were Least, Solitary, and Lesser Yellowlegs.  I still have not found any ducks lately.  The number could be low for the birdathon.  It is early (May 1), and with all the nice weather waterfowl, Kestrel, and other wintering type birds are gone from down here.  It is perhaps too early for most of the neotropical migrants as well.  We will do our best.

Working further backward, yesterday morning I thought I had woke up at Carey Run in western Maryland.  It was cold and the first bird I heard singing was a Blue-headed Vireo.  The next was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak.  A little later a Brownie Purple Finch was singing before coming down for some sunflower seed.  This week I have had one to two Blue-headed Vireos, and up to three Rose-breasted Grosbeaks each day.  The Purple Finches have been coming less frequently this week.  Last week was peak for them.  

On Tuesday, April 27 I had my only Barn Swallow so far this year at the house (#90).  A quiet day by current standards.

On Monday, April 26 I had my first confirmed Ruby-throated Hummingbird (#87) - a male.  I now have two fighting for the two feeders.  Tonight I had my first female Ruby-throated Hummingbird arrive. One of the two males started displaying immediately doing its "U" pattern flight.  A nice show but that all he will provide.  Monday also produced my first Purple Martins (#88), and a single male Indigo Bunting (#89).

On Sunday, I had a single Black-throated Green Warbler singing near the house (#173 Charles year/84 yard).  Later Sunday, a Black & White Warbler arrived to help.  I had been mulching, and when I came around from the front I could see #85 resting on the shovel handle.  The little fellow was not much help.  He left as soon as he saw me coming.  He never did lift a finger to help after that.  Later in the afternoon a Kingfisher called three times, and flew from west to east over the house (#86).  Gwen was in the house, and I had no time to get her onto the bird.  Sorry.

It is tough to keep up this time of year.  Tomorrow more scouting, and Saturday a 4 AM start may produce a new batch of arrivals.  Chuck's should be in.  Exciting times.  

Regards/

George

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