Despite the gorgeous weather this morning, today is slow (in contrast to this 
whole week).  Many of the migrants that were around here moved on, but it's 
been an amazing week at the house.  From Apr 28 to May 3, I had 27 FOY 
birds for my yard list, including a couple new ones (first ever).  There were 
many highlights, and I am in a hurry, so I'll only mention a few of the less 
common species for here.

Black-crowned Night heron; Cattle egret, Virginia Rail; Blue-headed Vireo 
(twice); House Wren (very uncommon here, only third property record); 16 
warbler species, including both Black-throated Blue and Green, Prairie, and 
Canada (until today I had 10+ every day of the week; only 5 so far today and 
the Myrtle's have left); Indigo Bunting (at the feeder; they breed here, but 
never come to the feeders!); and last but not least Bobolink!

I had Bobolinks two days, and this was a first time ever for our yard.  The 
strangest observation was the Virginia Rail, also a first ever for my yard list.

On May 2, I went upstairs to do some work on the computer (~9:45PM), and 
the windows were open (on the river side of the house).  The temp was falling 
so I went to close them.  I closed one, and as I walked toward the other I 
heard a loud "thump", as something hit it.  I knew it was either a bird or a 
mammal, and hoped it was ok - the thump was pretty loud.

But when I looked I couldn't see anything, it was too dark, so I went to get a 
flashlight.  The best I could do in a hurry was a battery-powered camp lantern 
that was not very bright due to the batteries were about dead.  It's light was 
not directional, so at first all I could see was a small dark blob on the roof a 
few feet below the window.  It was moving, and I thought it was a bat.  I 
thought this was odd - I never heard of a bat flying into a window.

To get a better look I took off the window screen to stick the lantern out the 
window further.  When I got my first impression I thought it might be a flying 
squirrel, but I realized when I held the really dim lantern about 3 feet away it 
was a bird.

I happened to have my camera with me because the reason I went to the 
computer to begin with was to unload all the recent pictures on it - 
serendipity!  I stuck the camera out the window and took a picture holding 
the camera about 4 feet away from the bird, but it did not flash right.  The 
next time it did.  I think the flash startled the already confused bird, but after 
moving around a bit, it simply flew away.  It seemed fine.  If not for the 
picture, I would not have positively ID'd it other than simply a rail species.

Cheers!!
Jeff Shenot
Croom