A male & female pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS checked out one of 
our nest boxes this morning in Laurel, PG County.  It's the 
first time we've seen bluebirds in our yard (though I 
counted one *from* the yard in the neighbor's field last 
year...).  Not sure why they were interested in the box this 
time of year -- shelter maybe?

We've been getting a good but fairly typical mix of birds 
these days, the start of the FeederWatch season.  Our female 
HAIRY WOODPECKER is back and makes regular visits to the 
veggie suet.  Otherwise nothing too unusual.  Hoping we get 
a regular Red-breasted Nuthatch again.  No sign of Purple 
Finches or siskins.  We *thought* we may have heard a Common 
Raven a couple days ago, which would have been a first for 
us in this area, but could not get eyes on the bird.

Good birding!

Derek & Frances

-- 
Derek C. Richardson, Laurel, PG County, MD