Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 00:22:13 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Chris Starling Subject: Yard Birds 3/28/03 Greetings, I spent the day working in my basement and made a few casual observations - most of which proved to be noteworthy. These observations were made on Hances Point in North East, MD. First the Ospreys, which have been singing profusely lately, have taken to renovating the nest that is in my woods (near a beaver pond). Second, as I peered up through on of my basement windows I noticed a pair of E. Phoebes wagging their tails in a barren chestnut oak. These are the first phoebes I've seen in the yard so far this spring. Audible observations including at least two chipping sparrows singing from the nearby spruce trees -another first for the year. And last, but certainly not least, the tidal basin that borders the front of property produced a pair of RED-NECKED GREBES -one of which was approaching alternate plumage! The tidal basin I spoke of is the extreme headwaters of Shelter Cove, an arm of the North East River. Shelter cove is a VERY shallow body of open and marshy water with an area of about 25 acres. I was quite surprised to see the grebes. Initially I thought they were Horned Grebe, as I had seen a few of these two years ago in late March. The RNGR is the 105th species I have noted in my yard in just over a year and a half of looking. Good Birding, Chris Starling North East, MD ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================