Hi Everyone,

Finding two COMMON REDPOLLs at Fort Smallwood this afternoon was a thrill
I won't soon forget. As Dan and Matt pointed out, they were seen from
about 4:20 until 5:30 between the parking lot near the pond and the old
stone fort. They were feeding among the fallen Sweet Gum balls with a
flock of juncos, Song Sparrows, and one goldfinch. The two birds I saw
were both females and were clearly sticking together. When I first pulled
into the parking lot, I heard a calling redpoll, gasped, and looked up to
see the first of the two. The moment was quite surreal. During the hour of
watching them, I was fortunate to hear them make a variety of
vocalizations, all of which were quite distinctive.

Here's a documentation shot of one of them:

http://www.billhubick.com/images2/common_redpoll_aa_md_20080223_01.jpg

Also, here are two shots of a BRONZED GRACKLE I photographed in our yard
in Anne Arundel Co. today. Sorry about the low quality--shooting through a
window on an overcast day is not the best way to get photos worth framing.
:)

http://www.billhubick.com/images2/common_grackle_home_aa_co_md_20080222_01.jpg
http://www.billhubick.com/images2/common_grackle_home_aa_co_md_20080222_02.jpg

Have a great weekend!

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

www.billhubick.com