Hello,
                Like the Louisiana Waterthrush a couple weeks ago, I found another bird that can be found within a few miles, but had never graced me with its presence at Oak Grove.  This time it was a pair of Rough-winged Swallows foraging over one of my new ponds.  Rough-wings can be found locally, but are quite scarce overall.  They tend to be found only at ponds or along the bigger rivers and creeks and I recall only one sighting within 4-5 miles of home.  Anyway, I thought this one might show someday, but it was further down my list of expectations than the waterthrush had been.  It was present for 15 minutes after I detected it, but when I returned an hour or so later, it was gone.  #207 for those following the tally.
                In addition to that, I found a White-eyed Vireo that equaled my early date.   Yellowthroat arrived on 4/17.   I thought I might come up with some other new arrivals like Orchard Oriole, Wood Thrush or Grasshopper Sparrow, but I will have to wait until next week.
                The shorebirds in the puddles all but disappeared about 10 days ago, despite there being plenty of puddles left.  Now things are beginning to dry out for real and the good puddles are just about gone.  The short tally is 2 Greater Yellows on Oak Grove Rd and 18 Snipe on Horseshoe Rd.  The expected Least Sandpiper and Solitary Sandpiper have never appeared.  Gulls have also been in very short supply with only a few fly-overs.  Even as farming has gotten going this week, there have not been any flocks following the tractor.  Quite odd and, therefore, no chance to pick out a Bonaparte's.
                Also, there is a Screech Owl that has taken up residence in the yard and is given to a trill or two at any given time (like 2PM), but last night was heard at a more appropriate 8:10 PM at the end of twilight.

Good birding,
Glen Lovelace III
Seaford, DE