Re the discussion on Worm-eating Warblers -- they are missing this time from both of my Breeding Bird Altas blocks, although fairly common in one block (for years, near my old house so I birded it often) back in the mid-1980s, during the first state-wide Atlas project. I consider this to be due completely to deer destruction of understory, as none of the habitat has changed much oherwise -- the block is in a suburban area which was completely developed by the 1950s -- the birds were in a stream-valley park surrounded by single-family homes.

Also missing in action this go-around were Kentucky Warbers, their 1980s habitat is now understory-free, and we found Wood Thrushes less common. Interestingly, Veeries had increased slightly, appearing in more quarter-blocks.

Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD

-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Tim Boucher <>
> With very limited birding time (two jobs and all the other time demands that
> everyone faces) we maximize the odds of seeing lots of birds by choosing the
> birdiest spots (or spots that we HOPE are the birdiest), and particularly
> those with a combination of habitats. OK, we admit it - we cheat by going to
> places that we know are reliable for X, Y, or Z. 
> 
<snip>