A few recent obsertvations-

Mar 6  (all FOY - at home):
 - Osprey 1
 - Eastern Meadowlark (2, feeding silently in a field late in afternoon; seemed very skittish)
 - Horned Lark (first ever here; an overdue sighting - given the habitat, although the fields are not large enough here to appeal for breeding.  A single bird joined the two meadowlarks!)
 - Great Horned Owl (1 calling in eve; the latest FOY date for our yard)

also - Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs were both in chorus

Mar 7
 - White-winged Crossbill  @  Wrighton Rd, AA County (w/ my son Josh ~ 8am; one 1st winter male and 1 female; the third try with my son here - finally he saw some!  I think these were birds that have been here, but so far I have not heard anyone mention any males.  The one we saw is getting recognizable plumage now)

Mar 8	Home	Cabbage White, Pickerel Frog (one single call)

Mar 9	Home	Merlin 1 late in evening, hunting

Mar 11	Home	American Kestrel, high migrant in a fly-by.

I went out at lunch today to look for ...  Sandhill Cranes or Loons!  Common Loons have been relaiably seen here in mid-March as high flying migrants, although I have had best success with them earlier in the day.  Today was very overcast until 11 am here.  I saw the AMKE, and also noticed many other raptors in 40 minutes  (none FOY; 24 Turkey and 14 Black Vultures, 2 Bald Eagles, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Red-shouldered Hawk, 1 Osprey).  I bet hawkwatch at Ft Smallwood had a great day today!

Left recently:   Many waterfowl and gulls have apparently left in the last 2 or 3 days.  Also, many White-throated Sparrows and Juncos, based on the obviously few feeding in the evening now at our feeders (just in last few days the number went from about 100+ to about 25.


Cheers-
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD