Hi, there are still Purple Finches visiting the feeders here in Bowie, as well.  Just as I was wondering when one can safely call a brownie a female, there was one brownie with traces of pink here today.  Also a brownie with one eye.  There was one one-eyed male that visited for one or two days a few weeks ago.  I was worried about conjunctivitis, though both seemed alert and healthy.  Today there were 4+ males and 4+ brownies.  Don't get House Finches here, but rarely.

Some of the Goldfinches are starting to look quite handsome, 12+ today.  There are still a few Juncos here, though the number dropped recently.  Have seen 1-4 at a time today.  My "special girl," a one-legged Junco was seen on Wednesday and yesterday.  Yes, this is the island of misfit birds...  Quite a few White-throats are here (about a dozen) and singing prettily.  Had a Chippy visit on Thursday, the 6th.

Also had 4 Cowbirds (2 male, 2 female) visit the feeders this week - an unusual yard bird here.

Meghan Tice
Bowie, Prince George's County
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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Mumford<mailto:[log in to unmask]> 
  To: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 
  Sent: Saturday, April 08, 2006 12:25 PM
  Subject: [MDOSPREY] Purples continue


  Back on March 2,  I reported a plethora of purple finches.  Those  numbers 
  were only here for a couple of days and I figured that they had migrated  for 
  places north or west.  Six were here nearly daily in the interim,  however.  
   
  This morning in the rain, there were at least twenty again, with four  
  pinkies and several transitioning from brownie to pinkie.  First time I  have seen 
  that here.
   
  Purples may not have the appetite of Evening Gs, but they can still go  
  through some sunflower seed!
   
  Bob Mumford
  Darnestown