Hi all --

Every winter when our hemlocks are filled with cones, we joke about "waiting for the white-winged crossbills" -- well, today one finally showed up. We were about to go out, and glanced out to see an (apparent) adult female white-winged crossbill at our water bath. Unfortunately a second or two later it (as well as he horde of siskins we've been hosting) flew off -- the bird didn't seem to go far, just towards one of our large hemlocks, but we couldn't relocate it. 

Since we got back we've been watching but so far it has not returned. Will let know if it does...

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD