Hi all,
 While out this morning with (who else!) the dog, I stopped by the  back 
fence, which borders our neighbors small farm. I was scanning the short  grass 
field when I saw a dark breast band on an otherwise dun colored, cryptic  bird. 
My first thought was Killdeer, but upon closer inspection I saw one of a  pair 
of HORNED LARKS, a new yard bird (#88), and one I never had as a yard bird  in 
Ashton. It was feeding in the grass stubble about 100 yards away, in  close 
proximity to a small mixed flock of blackbirds and robins.
 
On another note, I moved one of my bluebird boxes a couple of days ago, to  
the front corner of the property, and within minutes a pair of bluebirds was  
checking it out (because of improper placement before, it was never used).   
When I checked it yesterday, there was a nice ring of grass in it, and today  
they are happily going about their business of courting and setting up a  
territory. Now I have to remain vigilant to keep the house sparrows away!
 
Cheers,
 
Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD
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