Today, on MD 273 just east of Appleton Road, a female American Kestrel was
perched on the telephone wires. Yesterday I saw three Black Vultures in the
air over Barksdale Road, east of Milburn Orchards, and two of them were
having an aerial battle. Also yesterday, in our yard, a pair of Goldfinches
occupied perches on the thistle feeder, along with two Juncos. The male was
half bright yellow, and later that afternoon I heard a Goldfinch singing in
the treetops. I also saw that the Carolina Wren had built a nest inside the
wire cage of an outdoor light fixture that was lying on top of coiled up
jumper cables on the garage shelves.

 

Last Thursday I was pleased to finally get a yard Phoebe, who perched in the
witch hazel just outside my office window. The witch hazel is just about
finished blooming-only one branch still holds bright yellow flowers. It has
been blooming since February 18. This tree is a favorite of Chickadees,
Titmice and Juncos, and it is certainly a favorite of mine, because it
blooms during the dreariest part of the winter. It's only flaw is that it is
susceptible to aphids or some kind of insect in the spring, but that
attracts the Titmice, who bring the whole family to forage. I once saw a
fledgling Titmouse wedge itself into the vee between two branches and take a
nap. 

 

Pat Valdata

Elkton, MD

 


############################

To unsubscribe from the MDOSPREY list:
write to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
or click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MDOSPREY&A=1