I got back yesterday from a heinous trip to sample in Phrag marshes near the 
Meadowlands Sports Complex in northern NJ. How refreshing to get out and do 
stream sampling here at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in 
Edgewater instead.

On my way down a gravel trail to my first site, I noticed a commotion in the 
middle of the road so I turned the truck off and got out to investigate. There 
was a little buffy puffball on stilt legs literally bouncing across the road. 
Two very agitated adult Ovenbirds were either in pursuit or yelling at me to 
stay away. Once I was sure the baby was well off of the road, I continued down 
the trail.

At my next stop, I could hear alternating squeaking ducklings and an alarm call 
from an adult female Wood Duck. I sat very still and finally mom and her brood 
came out from the phrags to the edge where I could clearly see them. From my 
position, I could also look up and see the two Bald Eaglets standing in their 
nest. One of the birds has started preliminary wing flapping though I haven't 
seen any evidence of that from the younger sib. Last years' eaglet fledged in 
mid-June. These guys are on schedule to launch around the same time.

A good day for baby watching!

BTW, Wood Thrushes are doing well here but we have large expanses of unbroken 
forest so FIDS have minimal edge impact.
 
Tyler Bell

California, Maryland 

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