Patapsco Valley State Park (scrubland):

A very handsome male WILD TURKEY was foraging under an Autumn Olive less
than 50' from my driveway around 2 PM. As I was on my way to an appointment,
I could not stop to fully admire him.

The turkey was still in the exact same spot when I returned at 2:30. Of
course, as soon I grabbed my camera and scope, he ran up the hill and was
gone in seconds. The ability of (huge) Wild Turkeys to vanish amazes me.

I've had more luck relocating an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW that has been
visiting the hedgerow feeder daily since Monday. As others have noted, the
snow has brought many shyer sparrow species to feeders this month (8 species
here so far, but oddly no Field Sparrow).

No woodcocks here yet: their arrival has been delayed this year.

Sykesville Vulture Question:

This afternoon around 3:30 PM over Main Street in Sykesville, I counted over
150 vultures (about 2/3 Black, 1/3 Turkey) headed generally NW. I frequently
see these vultures moving over (downtown) Sykesville in the late afternoon
(3:30-5:00 PM) and have often wondered where they are headed. Whenever I try
to follow the kettle by car, I lose track and worry about causing an
accident. Does anyone know the location of this roost? 


Annoying signs of spring: "front porch" groundhog sighted Monday, House
Sparrows already nesting in one bluebird box!


Felicia Lovelett 
Sykesville, MD