After work yesterday, took a few minutes to survey the area in
back of my worksite from the 2nd story of a parking garage.

This was the first day the Barn Swallows have been back.  They
were feeding over the drainage pond, and shooting in and out
of the lower garage story.   One pair of Canada Geese has had
six ducklings.  Based on past experience, some weekend soon,
the goslings will disappear, all at once, without a trace.
This year, the geese are sharing the small pond
with a pair of Mallards.   Management had to cut down all the
nice reeds and grasses around the water; but they are growing
back, and Red-wing Blackbirds are setting up territory.  A
surprise was three FIELD SPARROWS on the manicured green
grass. (The last one I saw here was 4/10/02.) Several cowbirds
were present.  Two flickers investigated a tree snag with a
side opening.  I saw the male go in; watched for two minutes, but it did
not emerge, that I could see.  A House Sparrow was displaying vigorously
with his wings down and tail cocked up; flying from to branch, bowing a
little, taking breaks to drive off other males.

Last year I got in a discussion with a building guard about the swallows
who nest on his beat.  Most people like birds.  This man seemed
suspicious, even fearful of them.  His buddy told him that there are
Barn Swallows in his home country; and that they are there when
it is cold here; and that they fly long distances.  By the time breeding
was over and they disappeared from the garage, the guard asked,
concerned,  "Where did our birds go?"   Guess he got used to them.
This year, he seems pleased to hear they are back, and looking forward
to seeing them for himself.


Elise Kreiss
Rockville, Maryland (at work)