Janet Millenson wrote:
"Chris Starling wrote: "Other birds of note were both vultures (some
>vocalizing!)..."
>
>Please tell us more details. Plenty of movies put hawk calls on the
>soundtrack while showing vultures soaring, but I thought that in real life
>vulture sounds are limited to the occasional grunt or hiss."


Well I can say without doubt that it didn't sound like the Red-tail's cry
heard so often in those spaghetti westerns.  Ironically the only other time
I had heard a Vulture call was on this property last year when I discovered
a TV building a nest.  That time it was a hideous cry that bewildered me
till I saw the TV alight.  This morning however the "cry" was reminiscent of
the call of a Red-shouldered but not as melodic (if you can call it that)
It certainly had a hissy-grunt-like quality to it but was multi-syllabic.
To be honest with you I didn't pay much attention to it as I was face down
in the pre-dawn brine that is the North East River. (I was on a mission to
save my in-law's boat mooring)...

BTW-
I had a Brown Thrasher this afternoon on post here at the Edgewood Area of
APG in Harford County.  I have already confirmed this species though for
this atlas block (NB & CF in late May).

Good Birding,
Chris Starling

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