Kathleen Lathrop (She Who Must Be Obeyed) had fine looks at a female
PUFI (Purple Finch) at the feeders yesterday evening.  I did not see
it as I was being a slug all day.  The snowbirds (Juncos, White
Throated Sparrows) are back, and are being terrorized by a 1st year
Cooper's Hawk.  According to Ron Pittaway's excellent yearly Winter
Finch Forecast, this may be a banner year for Common Redpolls, which I
have not seen in Maryland since a very cold winter many years ago
(94?) in Northeast, MD the same year we had that Painted Bunting
there.  Norm, I think you were leading a bird trip there that day...
if my memory serves me well (it often doesn't these days).  So, when
the weather gets really frosty, which it eventually will, look for
Redpolls at your feeders and in the parks.


Good Birding,

*****************************
Frank Boyle
Rohrersville, MD

*****************************


-- 
"The most powerful weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of
the oppressed" - Stephen Biko