Sunday finally brought what seemed a more normal, crisper autumn day.  And 
a day of yard work here in Creswell, Harford County really means getting a 
chance to watch the feeders and trees more closely and listening to all the 
bird activity.  New arrivals included a single male PURPLE FINCH at the feeders 
and a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER tapping gently in a paulownia.  Multiple 
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS were about and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are 
still squeaky all over the place.  One actully stayed on the other side of a 
cylindrical feeder while I was cleaning some wet seed from the opposite side 
(now that's close - and of course I said something kind to it - fortunately it 
didn't say anything back).  Many WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, DARK-EYED 
JUNCOS and EASTERN TOWHEES were around.  SHARP-SHINNED HAWK(S) 
have been ripping through regularly and a pair of AMERICAN KESTRELS are 
using a dead snag often to hunt nearby fields.  These same nearby fields are 
hosting a family or pack of COYOTES which sing on occassion just after dusk 
(That's worth waiting for).  AMERICAN ROBINS and CEDAR WAXWINGS were 
foraging in the shrubbery.  All of the usual suspects are around to include 
many CAROLINA CHICKADEES; may have had a BLACK-CAPPED earlier in the 
week, but never confirmed it with a second look.

Rick Cheicante
Harford County
Bel Air, MD