Hi all, 

We are now back from our mini-trip to Grand Bahama and are rather surprised that, during our absence, no staggering rarities appeared in Maryland. What happened? This was your big opportunity...The good news is that we seem to have more birds now visiting our feeders, perhaps a response to cooler weather. However so far, just the "usual suspects." We have had our local Red-shouldered Hawks calling a lot so probably courting . 

(Just wanted to add, for those looking for a short and easy getaway to see some birds not found in the USA, there are now great Expedia package deals from BWI to Grand Bahama which include the 2 1/2 hour flight and 4 nights in a luxury hotel. Although only 55 miles from Florida, GB has endemic and specialty species not found on the mainland, such as Bahama Warbler, Bahama Yellowthroat, LaSagra's FC, Red-legged Thrush, Western Spindalis, Cuban Emerald etc. Of interest to Maryland birders is that the race insularis of the Brown-headed Nuthatch, only found on GB, will probably be split; unfortunately in the two big hurricanes in 2004/5 a lot of their pine habitat was destroyed and they are now extremely rare. We looked over two days in the "right place" and didn't see them. Lots of wintering warblers (we saw about 15 spp.) but the only migrant "non-warbler" passerine was Gray Catbird. I will be posting a mini-report on Birdchat shortly for those interested...) 

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper 
Colesville, MD 

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