Slightly out of area but still worthy of a mention ... a Black Rail has been 
calling consistently at the Meadows in Cape May.  Not that unusual except it 
has been seen at least twice ... once by Michael O"Brien (Maryland alumnus 
birder extraordinaire) while leading a Cape May birding workshop and seen 
and photographed by Bob Fogg (photo at http://www.birdcapemay.org/blog/ ). 
Also of note was a Back Bay Breeding Bird survey in Cape May on June 20. 
The extremely high tides pushed the birds onto the highest peaks of 
remaining ground.  96 Clapper Rails were SEEN.  Gotta love Cape May.

On the more local front - my yard in Queenstown - I had 7 Great Crested Fly 
Catchers in the yard yesterday.  I also had the pleasure of watching Mama 
Baltimore Oriole being pestered by 3 newly fledged youngsters as she flew 
from area to area searching for food.

While eating dinner the other day and watching the birds and 3 squirrels 
enjoy the feeders, a rat joined the festivities.  For nearly 45 minutes the 
rat scratched around and blended (?) right in.  The squirrels only took 
offense when it tried to join them on the platform feeder (two 8x10 planks) 
and the squirrels quickly chased it off.
Where are the raptors when you want them?

Jim Wilson
Queenstown