This evening I had TWO nice surprises in the yard, a singing Bobwhite that 
seemed to be alone but called on and off for over an hour, and a pair of 
Common Nighthawks that made a single low pass over the yard before flying 
off toward the river.  The quail was the first of 2005 (yard list), and I 
only had one for all of last year.  Unfortunately the once robust breeding 
population we had here (up until ~ 2000) is essentially gone now; it is a 
shame - I really miss them.  The nighthawks were seen at about 8:35 pm.  I 
don't recall seeing any this late in the spring here (P.G. County), it 
would be great if they are a pair that may nest somewhere nearby; still a 
week away from the safe date 'tho.

There has been a lot of singing marsh wrens the last few nights out in the 
marsh around the river (Jug Bay area), but I have only heard them late at 
night.  They may be waiting for the moon before they get with the program, 
because I heard them two nights in a row, but both times it was after the 
moon had risen before I heard any.

Jeff Shenot
Croom




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