I‘ve been following the MDOsprey list for a while, and this is my first post.
 
Two lingering white-crowned sparrows were calling in a friend’s yard 
yesterday (Saturday 5/7), along the Montgomery/Frederick County line – I watched the 
first for a while, and noticed the second when they began calling back and 
forth. In the same yard I had my FOY Green Heron, an Eastern Phoebe singing and 
hawking insects, and several Chimney Swifts (up to 9 visible at once). Possible 
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher as well, but didn’t get a good enough look.
 
Watched a flock of Cedar Waxwings for a while on Thursday (5/5) in my friend’
s yard – a treat for me, as this was only the second time I’ve ever seen them.
 
As for my own yard, my pair of downies, my pair of white-breasted nuthatches, 
and my male red-bellied woodpecker have been very active. I’ve only ever seen 
a male red-bellied in my yard – does anyone know whether red-bellieds don’t 
forage near each other, as I’ve seen the downies and nuthatches do, or whether 
he might just be a single guy? He’s been a regular yard visitor for at least 
two years now, so I’m a little surprised that I’ve never seen a female or a 
juvenile stop by.
 
Finally, my catbirds returned on Wednesday (5/4)! One calling from the lilac 
bush and another snacking on suet. Saw FOY catbird about a week earlier in a 
friend’s yard, but I’m so glad mine are back. J
 
~*~*~*~*~
Jessica Maggio
Damascus, MD
aderynyreira at aol.com