I thought that I would share some remarkable nesting going on this season at Fort Smallwood Park.  First, there are over 40 species apparently nesting in the 100-acre park, with at least 22 of those species confirmed as breeders.  One day a couple of weeks ago, from one location, I could see the actual nests of 6 species (Killdeer, kingbird, robin, mockingbird (2), grackle and Orchard Oriole), and the nest locations of 5 others (Blue Jay, starling, House Finch, bluebird, and Fish Crow).  Moreover, w ithin a 300-foot radius, including the species above, additionally a Red-winged Blackbird was confirmed to be breeding and yellowthroat, cardinal, Mourning Dove, and Chipping Sparrow were very probably breeding.  Finally Matt Grey and I estimated that for 22 species, there are multiple pairs nesting in the Park. 

By the way, when the Park's administration was taken over by Anne Arundel County, and the Park was renovated and reopened to the public in spring 2006, a large number of feral cats were also removed.  Since then, it seems to me that the nesting success of many species has dramatically improved, especially for towhees, thrashers, cardinals, mockingbirds, catbirds, and Killdeers.  Nest boxes have also been erected, and they have aided several hole-nesting species.  I believe that there are two families of Carolina Wrens in the Park this year, apparently having survived the winter storms. 

Sue Ricciardi 
Arnold, Maryland