Spring News

It's Saturday and I've been too busy to blog this week. Briefly, here is an update for your enjoyment.

* The Haas Family Hummingbird feeders (all three of them) have been cleaned, filled and hung in the yard. Any second now those little iridescent hovering birds will be enjoying the sugary water mix we've set out for them here in West Annapolis.

* Speaking of bird feeding, I switched my seed over from black oil sunflower to safflower. The GRACKLES and STARLINGS were eating me out of house and home. Luckily, these two species don't enjoy the safflower seed as much, so the birds that are dropping by are much more enjoyable. Those 'other' birds are quite messy. For that matter, so are the squirrels. The good news is that the regular cast of characters are back in the yard.

* I'm also trying to do the meal worm thing. If anyone has any pointers for alerting the birds to these free worms, let me know.

* The PAINTED BUNTING has been in the news this week. PABU has been turing up regularly at BOTH the Arnold and the Annapolis feeders! In some cases, only a few hours separate the sightings! Could there be TWO PAINTED BUNTINGS? Well, hopefully we will find out soon. I've got two WINGSCAPES BIRDCAMS set up at both locations. The motion-activated photographs have date stamps on the photos. So IF this bird is seen feeding at the same time, there will be definitive proof that there are two in the area. The two locations are about five miles apart, as the BUNTING flies!

* Lastly, I received an update on the Severn River Bridge PEREGRINE FALCONS from Craig at US Fish & Wildlife Friday afternoon.

"Dan,

Hi. I have good and bad news to report. I checked the Severn River Bridge around noon today. The falcons are currently not using the nest box. I have a feeling that painting activities (spot work and cable removal) have contributed in making the birds nervous in the area of the nest box. I did however, locate the falcons on pier cap #5. I watched their behaviors and I believe she is trying to find an area with substrate. I am positive they will not find anything since the bridge was thoroughly cleaned. I have a hunch they will be returning to the box... but late. I will be talking with SHA is a few minutes to get a read on work activities, etc. I will keep you apprised."

I shall keep my fingers crossed for a successful nesting season with the PEREGRINES.

Enjoy your weekend,

Dan

Thanks for Breakfast

I was on my way out the door this morning. My hands were full with my work stuff and two cups of hot, fresh-brewed Caffe Pronto coffee (Mocha Java this week). As I approached my Volvo, I heard the local COOPERS HAWK going nuts. To make matters slightly more interesting, I was in a rush to get to a meeting in Charles County too.Initially I thought perhaps some loving courtship behaviors were taking place. After all, it is THAT time of year and it did kind of 'sound' like love.I put my coffees down and looked to where the shrieking was taking place in the treetops across the street. Turns out, the local COOPERS HAWK had just captured a fresh COMMON GRACKLE. But seconds after the GRACKLE was captured for breakfast, a greedy, slightly opportunistic RED TAILED HAWK swooped in to 'take' the feast for his (or her) own. At first glance, I thought the two raptors were involved in a loving embrace. Hmm, apparently not.I grabbed my camera from the house and quickly snapped these shots. The morning light was terrible, so I apologize for the bad photography. I ask you to please use your imagination when it comes to 'vibrant color and lighting' that one would expect from well-done photography.Sure enough, these two raptors embraced all right... but it wasn't so much about procreation as it was about a struggle over a well-deserved meal. The RED-TAILED HAWK won out and soon flew off with the GRACKLE. But for a good two or three minutes, the COOPERS HAWK sat on a nearby limb, looking puffed up and very frustrated watching his hard-earned meal get de-feathered by a local competitor.If nothing else, it made for a very interesting start to my day.

I hope your breakfast was uneventful. Oh, and not only was the Mocha Java delicious, I successfully made it to my meeting.

-Dan