We just had a Groundhog at our feeders (Ugh)!  Did it know something we don't?  Is Winter finally letting up?

I wonder if it also has something to do with significant melting and potential drainage issues at the groundhog's den.  In December, as the first big snow was melting, I went to the Visitor's Center at Patuxent Nat'l Wildlife Refuge to meet my brother and do some birding.  There was very little bird activity due to weather and ground conditions, but we did see a snake (black rat), that was probably forced out of its den due to flooding.

I also had a FOY Pied-billed Grebe behind the house on the river when I came home on Tuesday eve (~5:30 pm).  There is usually one or two that overwinter here, but this was the first one I have seen in 2010!

Regards-
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD