Add 3 species to my count.

1. Didn't even think about posting here -- or adding them to my count -- when I saw the first starlings of the year. I just cussed them and banged on the window to scare them off the suet feeder. One of life's least useful activities, they fly back within 60 seconds.

2. I heard Canada geese last week, next morning I heard them again and saw two flying over.

3. Today I heard and saw a red shouldered hawk in the back yard. A juvenile I think. Yelling its head off in the treetops, and the jays were yelling insults in return.

There's been a pair of hairy woodpeckers at the suet and even checking out our back porch. There was a big flock of American robins today. I got an almost good photo 2 weeks ago of the ruby crowned kinglet flashing its red crest. I say "almost" because there was a bit of something in the way here and there, but it's neat anyway.

Carolina wrens and mourning doves compete to nest on our back porch. This year the wrens are really early and they've picked out a new nesting spot, it's an old plastic hamster cage. They fly in through the little opening in the top. Fun to watch them. Not a very safe nesting spot though, we think. I asked Bill to take down the doves' nest until the wrens get one litter raised. Hope he will.

Rita