this morning we had a pair of Ruddies and a few longtails floating along in
the Patuxent River across from the Solomons.  We've had a few Loons, but
these were the first of the winter ducks we've seen this year.  There are a
few flights visible also this morning.  Don't know if this is early or not.

Sorry if this is a bit of off topic, but I have a question about filling my
bird feeders.  I have several of the tube type and although it sounds dumb,
i am wondering what more experienced people do about filling them,
specifically, when do you do it?  When the seed gets below the mid line or
so, it prevents occupants from using the upper stations.  But, there is
still a quarter of a tube of seed.  if I fill them up again, that seed just
sits there.  Should I dump it out every time I fill it?  wait till it's
completely empty?  Thanks for any thoughts..

Bill Moody
Lexington Park