Today, over 15,000 blackbirds, in various-sized flocks, were counted heading north from 9 am to 2 pm . Most were Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles. On the 24th, almost 4,000 blackbirds passed by in 4 hours. A flock on the ground had about 1200 Brown-headed Cowbirds mixed in. Gulls, mostly Herring, have also been moving north. Today, a river otter was frolicking in the pond and harassing a pair of Mute Swans. Totals for raptors through the 28th are: Black Vulture 8, Turkey Vulture 74, Bald Eagle 1, Northern Harrier 2, Red-tailed Hawk 4. 

Sue Ricciardi, Compiler 
Arnold, MD