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Subject:

Harford: Whacky Backyard Weekend

From:

Rick Cheicante

Reply-To:

Rick Cheicante

Date:

Tue, 8 Apr 2008 15:06:23 -0400

This past weekend the backyard had a little bit of everything.

Bald Eagle - 2 imm. (2 - 3 year olds) coursed through our woods coming from a 
clearing, calling, and in quite a chase. Those two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 
alerted the family as they don't care for any birds soaring overhead with a 
wingspan greater than 3 feet (That would be about a RS Hawk and greater - 
beware Turkey condors).  This isn't the first eagle by the way, as an adult 
Bald Eagle sat in our large paulownia tree one afternoon a few years back.  
Ironically, this same paulownia (65'  - 75' tall) will coming down tomorrow, 
probably a few years after it should have (its dead).  I was able to convince 
everybody to keep it standing, well, "because a Bald Eagle had sat in it".  
Resistance is futile; big, dead trees come down - one way or another!  The 
arborist (pro name for treewatcher?) also informed us we may in the running 
for largest Norway Spruce in the state.  I know - who cares - I sort of agree.  
I just hope we don't become overrun with treewatchers. Is there a Code of 
Treewatching Ethics?  And would it be treewatching or tree spotting?  Just 
wondering.

Louisiana Waterthrush - 1 calling from ravine. Happens most years for a day or 
two.  Ravine is a non-water extension from Bynum Run.

Purple Finch - 1 female
Brown Creeper - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1
kinglets - yep they were way up there.  Small and gray against a grayer sky.

Pileated Woodpecker - 1 calling; a pair are resident

Brown Thrasher - 1 or 1 at a time.  I'm hoping a new yard resident although 
they have been at a nearby farm forever.
Field Sparrow - feeder visiting and calling in nearby field
Eastern Towhees - Quite a few calling, taking over the moring chorus.
Chipping Sparrows - 1 or 2 at feeder, more calling.
American Goldfinches - many starting to look the part.
Dark-eyed Junco - still plentiful and singing sweetly.

Coyotes - singing a little last week.  Hear them at least once every three 
weeks or so. 

Rick Cheicante
Harford County
Bel Air, MD