I've been watching the feeder for a couple of weeks, now, and I'm happy to
note that a hummer visited just a few minutes ago. I didn't get the chance
to see if it's a male nor female, but I'm glad to see it. 

 

Earlier today, I strolled the yard and saw the wood thrush I'd heard singing
yesterday. (I have the head cold from hell, so I've been stuck inside while
you all have been gallivanting around the state seeing *great* migrants-I am
so jealous!) Just as I was heading back in to collapse for the afternoon, I
heard an odd, wheezy little "fi-bit" kind of call. It turned out to be a
full-grown chickadee fluttering its wings and begging for food. Have
chickadees raised one clutch of eggs already, or was this a female engaging
in courtship behavior? Another chickadee-this one a little smaller-fed the
begging one while I was watching. 

 

I haven't located a phoebe nest yet, although the male is certainly staking
out his territory around the house.

 

Pat Valdata

sneezing and coughing in Elkton, MD