This eve I heard my first Least Bittern for the year, and there have been 
Soras calling in the evening since Sunday.

I also saw something odd- a female cowbird doing something with an egg on 
the ground.  I came up on her as she was apparently trying to lift it.  The egg 
appeared to have a small hole in it and she very gently lifted it by placing her 
lower bill inside the egg through the hole, and her upper bill on the outside 
outside.  I did not see her poke the hole, it was there when I first noticed.  I 
couldn't tell where the egg was from (no visible nest nearby); it was a white 
with only a few light brown speckles.  It was larger than a Bluebird egg and 
smaller than a Robin egg.  I hoped she would leave it so I could see what kind 
it was, but she managed to get a hold of it and carry (fly with) it a short 
distance (~25 feet) near the ground away from the trail I was on.  Then to 
my shock she ate it -- egg, shell, and all!  When she finished she flew away 
and did not return to the area.  I looked at the place she had been standing 
at but there was nothing left.  I looked around to see where she came from 
but could not find a nest.

Anyone know if cowbird parasitism includes eating a host bird's egg?  I have 
seen grackles eat bird eggs (as scavengers, not as parasites), but never saw 
a cowbird do this.

Cheers-
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD