Yesterday AM we were delighted to find an Orchard Oriole visiting the yard (# 123 here) - the more remarkable for our never having seen one here before despite it being quite common in the area (in Bowie they were annual, sometimes nesting). This was an adult ("definitive alt plumage", ie chestnut-colored) male; he sang normally and chattered oriole-like. But trying to locate him in the PM, we were confused by following the chatter but also hearing an E Bluebird - exactly like our resident breeding male. Only when we saw the bird could we believe that the Oriole was singing this way. Sometimes the 1st yr males sing aberrantly, but this was most unusual. Perhaps others have similar stories.
 
Also, we were surprised to hear a Swainson's Thrush singing - they're normally quiet in the yard; he was here again this AM, singing long and loud.
 
Again this AM, we had a Black & White, A. Redstart, and Black-thr Blue - the last had seemed avoiding us, since they seem to be everywhere else this month.
 
While planting tomatoes, I saw a Chipping Sparrow come along picking at the ground, unconcerned and coming up within a few feet of me. "Now what could it be eating? There're no bugs, and no seeds in the tomato bed", I thought. But of course - eggshell fragments, which I bury under the plants. Enough remained scattered about to attract her notice now at egg-laying time.
 
Fred Fallon
Huntingtown

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