Following a concluding visit to the dentist (implant), hied me to the
Cromwell Valley Park for a 2 hr. walk in my new "driving shoes" (break-
ing 'em in). Fairly slow, but several interesting observations and an excit-
ing FOY are worth noting.

It had to happen. With all the ROBINs about, there were frequent clashes
over territory. I did note one female Robin go to her nest. The RC KING-
LETs were numerous, also engaged in "chases" to establish feeding lo-
cations. A BARRED OWL was calling. A KINGFISHER was coursing
the Minebank stream. BARN SWALLOWs another FOY. The exciting
FOY was the PRAIRIE WARBLER, heard at 2 locations in the vicinity
of the lime kilns. With a lone MYRTLE WARBLER, no more warblers.

Was heartened to observe a pair of BLUEBIRDS successfully defend
nesting box no. 22 against the acquisitive TREE SWALLOWs. The T.
Swallows, in turn, were observed harassing a male KESTREL as it 
hunted an adjacent meadow. A female Kestrel anchored the far end of
the meadow; presumably, a breeding pair. A male COWBIRD allowed
me to walk within 5 ft. of it, perched on a low branch at eye level. As I
passed by, it dropped down to the ground to forage amongst old seed
spillage from a previously hung feeder.

On a non-avian note, I observed Wood Frog tadpoles showing rear leg
development, and in addition to numerous Little Blue butterflies, there
were a no. of Cabbage Whites and an Orange Sulphur. In all, a total of
30 spp. of birds observed.

Paul Noell
Balto.  MD





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