Hello all, 
 
I saw my first "Bronze-backed" Common Grackle at my feeder in Eastport yesterday afternoon. It drank from the bird bath and skulked around a bit, warily checking out the feeders. I saw it a few times, but not directly at any feeders. 
 
Also saw a Song Sparrow feeding a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird yesterday and today. I have seen at least one Song Sparrow fledgling around too. 
 
Lastly, I had a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird at the feeder this morning. Surprisingly, this is the first hummer I have had at the feeder all summer! What's up with this? I have had a feeder up since the spring, cleaned it regularly and changed the sugar water about once a week at the most. It is located about 3 ft off the ground hanging on a pole next to the house. It is by a window but there are some 2-3ft tall Nandina bushes around it and a red cedar ~ 10 ft away so it is not totally exposed. I changed the sugar water last night. I know it being near a window should not matter. It was great to see her here this morning but I was wondering if folks had any clue why I haven't seen one earlier. There are many native and horticultural flowers and trees in the yard so there should be plenty to attract them. The metal "flowers" on the feeder that were painted red have faded so we added red felt cutouts behind them about a week ago to add some color to the feeder. Is this a sign there is a dearth of hummers in the neighborhood or I am not changing the fluid frequently enough? Other suggestions? 
 
Good Birding,
 
Frank Marenghi
Annapolis, MD