Hi all,
 I went out this morning to Blue Mash, primarily to try out a new  piece of 
"equipment" but really just for some fresh air. I didn't get out at all  last 
week, suffering from a bad sinus condition for the past 6 weeks which  really 
came to a head recently. Anyway, not much activity, but managed some nice  
finds nevertheless.

My first best sighting was a flock (!) of 13 Northern Flickers, perched  in 
two adjacent trees along the main road. Nary a red-shaft among them. I cannot  
remember seeing more in one place. Ducks on the big pond were few in species 
and  number; a pair of Green-winged Teal and some Ring-necked Ducks, and a 
Great Blue  Heron. The small pond had more Ring-necks, a single male Bufflehead, a 
pair of  Blacks and some Mallards, a single male Wood Duck and 3 female 
Hooded Mergs.  Also I had very few sparrows, but I did find at least 2 (possibly 
more as they  flew into the woods) FOX SPARROWS, which have been noticeably 
absent since  November. A single Hermit Thrush was perched in alow shrub by the 
stack of  plastic drainage pipes, where there was some other good action. Good 
numbers of  Eastern Bluebirds, and at least one pair was displaying and 
perching on top of  box #12. A Northern Cardinal was singing, as were Tufted 
Titmouse(s). I had  other woodpeckers too, including Red-bellied, Downy and Hairy and 
a calling  Pileated in the woods. Hawks included only a single Red-tailed. And 
a pair of  Red-winged Blackbirds flew over.
 
Tulips are pushing up in my front yards!
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD