Nice link, Kat. I will say that though normally I see them going through on migration, I HAVE seen the occasional nesting pair over near Merritt Island. I suspect that is about the extreme southern tip of the breeding range. Mostly they breed from northern Florida through to central North Carolina. With them wintering in south Florida, it means that you COULD actually see them in most of the state at various times, either migrating north or south, wintering in South Florida, or nesting in the spring in north Florida. As I say, mine were at my feeder during March/April. I would guess that they were heading back north from southern Florida in order to nest. Marcia

Had a huge spotted owl fly over me yesterday while on the lake at Loud Thunder Forest preserve in Andalusia, Illinois. So far in the city at my birdfeeder I've had the usual: lots of sparrows, grackels, a few cardinals, my daily frequenting Blue Jays;...but a few weeks back I had two more unusual visitors: (1) White-Breasted Nuthatch and (2) Red-Bellied Woodpecker. The nuthatch was awesome. I was sitting watching the feeder when I saw this little bluish bird running DOWN the trunk of my tree and it kept doing that. At the time I didn't know what it was. Then I learned. He/She was funny. Loved it! dax

yes, we have a birder's paradise here. Right now it is positively buzzing, with new neotropical arriving daily. Head the first whip-poor-will yesterday, and THINK I heard a parula this afternoon. Heard the oriole-like whistle of a rose-breasted grosbeak yesterday and then today, heard it again, close to the house this time, and sure enough there he was. Will have to be keeping an eye out for the blue grosbeaks and the evenings, although they aren't always dependable like the RBGs. Yes, the buntings seem to have a love for the taller grasses and thicker stuff here. A lot of times a male will sit on the power line and just go nuts with song, even when it gets hot. Nests fascinate me and annoy me at the same time because I have been too lazy to study the differences and learn to tell what bird made them. I found a nest of blue-grey gnatcatchers a few years back, and I could stand under the nest and watch the yougsters at lunch time, but it was at least 20 feet off the ground and I could never get a good look at how it was made. Think it might have had lichens on it, much like a hummer's nest. Plenty of birds, alright. In fact, come on over and stay a while....as long as you take a few thousand of our OTHER birds back when you leave. I'll give you a hint: they make a distinct whining call, are extremely gregarious, and have a specially adapted bill well suited for their liquid diet.

Thanks, and me too..I grew up 5 miles from the ocean in Haiti. We used to have beach parties on New Year, but we're land-locked at the moment. I'm thrilled to be able to swim on Poppy Mnt, only 1 1/2 miles from here, because it's semi-deserted at the moment. DuBois and I used to drive 15 miles to swim in the Licking River or in a deserted pond over the mnt from us where we had to hike through tick-infested brush to reach it. But, speaking of oceans, this year we did skip down to FL for our anniversary over New Year and camped at Ft Desoto Natl Park but it was too cold to swim. But I could take photos of wonderful birds from the car 12-31-08, dock beside Gulf Blvd, preening American Oystercatcher, 4:19 p.m. From 12-30-08, Florida trip This is a link to the first day at Ft Desoto in my photo album. I love Kentucky warblers and other birds, but the ocean TRUMPS ALL (sigh). Slide show button on upper left corner, click F11 key for full screen http://picasaweb.google.com/rachelbro3/123008FloridaTrip#