Chris,

Last weekend, while trying to find the Townsend's Warbler, we ran into a mixed flock of birds. In this flock were some chickadees that seemed to have a little extra white in their wings, the bib didn't look quite right for Carolina and the voice seemed too deep and hoarse. However, we concluded that these birds were not Black-capped Chickadees, but we also weren't sure that these weren't intergrades, even though we were well south and east of the integrade band. I would suggest being very careful about identifying Black-backs on voice alone in regards to these birds.

Ed Boyd
Westminster, MD
---- Chris Starling <> wrote: 
> Greeings,
> 
> Before diving into a huge paper I have to write for my English Class, I 
> 
> took an hour or so to walk my father-in-law's property on Hances Point 
> 
> Road, south of North East, this morning. The birding started rather slow 
> 
> but eventually I found a big mixed flock. I was alerted to the flock by 
> 
> the distant singing of a Pine Warbler. The chill in the air was lifted as
>  
> I tuned into this perenial melody that (to me) is the trigger for warmer,
>  
> longer days. Eventually I discovered not just one but as many as six Pine
>  
> Warblers. Under the Pines, in the scrubs, I had about 25 Carolina 
> Chickadees. In this flock I also had Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown 
> Creeper, and at least two Black-capped Chickadees that I suppose are hold
> -
> overs from this years irruption. The BCCH's ID is based on voice, very 
> 
> hoarse and slow tempo, lower pitch, etc...  Next best bird was Yellow-
> rumped Warbler (about 15 or so). This bird is not too common here in the 
> 
> winter months; therefore, the migration must be on.  
> 
> Good Birding
> Chris Starling
> North East, MD