Yesterday while working in his garden, the owner of the West Annapolis
Wild Bird Center had these tiny little pine cones continually dropping
on his head.  When Bill looked up he saw three drab looking birds with
prominent white streak on their wings.  He asked what these drab
looking sparrows might have been that were actively feeding on the
cones.

To help him ID these birds, I sent him some photos of female
Crossbills, as well as some Siskins (as I've had one or two all winter
on my thistle socks).  He replied with an emphatic 'YES' to the
Crossbill photos I had sent.

And so the good news is that X-Bills likely have reached West
Annapolis.  The better news is that this a block from my home.

But I've still got to spot them.  More soon... I hope.

Dan Haas
West Annapolis, MD