Hi Everyone,
 
My girlfriend Becky and I recently moved into a new place just a couple blocks from Fort Smallwood, and have been thoroughly enjoying the number and diversity of birds. With three of the neighborhood's borders being the Bay, Fort Smallwood, and White's Cove/Weinberg Park, I'm really thrilled by the prospects. Today was our first full day in the house, and our yard list is already at 63 species. It's been a lot of fun adding species such as Caspian Tern and Bufflehead while taking breaks from painting. For my "non-motorized" list, which I plan to keep for anywhere I walk, bike, or kayak from here, I'm at 75 species. I spent most of the late morning and afternoon exploring the area with Matt Tillett, visiting the hawk watch, and checking out Weinberg Park.
 
I awoke today to find the yard simply saturated by Blue Jays. Attempts at counts produced totals of up to 75, often with large groups flying overhead. I could hardly begin to estimate how many passed through, but it was more reminiscent of blackbird flocks than jays. I added seed three times, and we were still cleaned out this evening. At times our large stump feeding area held as many as 25 Blue Jays. I've seen large migrant flocks before, but it is truly a spectacle on the ground. Here are some images that almost capture it:
 
http://billhubick.com/images/blue_jays_migrants_md_20070429_01.jpg

http://billhubick.com/images/blue_jays_migrants_md_20070429_02.jpg
 
Other highlights from the last few days (today except where noted):
 
Mallards--foraging below our feeders all week
Ruddy Ducks--flock of about 15 still on White's Cove
Green Heron--in the woods at Weinberg Park
Black-crowned Night-heron--adult at the Fort Smallwood pond
Sharp-shinned Hawks--25+
Broad-winged Hawk--One in a large kettle of vultures and accipiters
Caspian Terns--3-4 along the Bay
Forster's Tern--1 at White's Cove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird--male and female arrived yesterday
House Wren--1 at Weinberg Park
RC Kinglet--several around the yard
Eastern Bluebird--yard flyby
Gray Catbird--1 in yard
Brown Thrasher--hanging around the yard since last week; took suet from feeder yesterday
Yellow Warbler--hanging around the yard since Thursday
Rose-breasted Grosbeak--singing in yard
 
Have a great week!
 
Bill 
 
Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com