To add to Jim Meyer's report, I recorded a total of 23 spp.which included my first good
look at a Tree Sparrow in some time. As we circled back to the parking lot, I broke
off for another, even better look at the Tree. A short ways along the hedgerow revealed
a resplendent male Towhee. As we walked in a field next to the woods sloping up the
hill, I first spotted the Sharpie perched atop some brush fronting the woods. Even as
we drew quite close, the accipiter seemed loath to flush so, at someone's suggestion,
we circled around our proud hunter and he seemed content to enjoy the warming rays
of the sun. An additional note re the Merlin: As we watched it make short work of the
songbird (House Finch?), it quickly tore off a wing and it spun down to the ground much
like that of a samara of the elm tree. Jim reported seeing the ravenous bird swallow an
entire foot!

Paul Noell
Balto. MD