A pair of Red-tailed Hawks were seen mating during this morning's birdwalk at Cromwell 
Valley Park in Baltimore County. A dozen or so birders were also treated to a good view of 
a Merlin feeding on a small song bird, a very cooperative Sharp-shinned Hawk that was 
sunning itself in the morning light, and a Pileated Woodpecker that flew into the woods 
nearby and started drumming loudly on a large dead tree. Kate Manrodt led the walk, and 
although few song birds were  seen, the group was delighted with the raptors present.
After seeing the Red-tails mating today we can expect to see the hawks begin nest building 
soon ( if they haven't begun already ). Cromwell Valley Park offers a good opportunity to 
witness several aspects of Red-tailed Hawk courtship behavior, and each Spring over the 
last several years we've seen just about every display there is associated with territory and 
courtship. 
So once again the birds are among the first to tell us "SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!!"

Jim Meyers
Parkville Md.