Birding the Basin

May 18, 2008
Hello,While letting the dog out on Friday night I heard a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD in the next neighborhood over. I went on a walk on Sat. morning and found it atop of a house at 5479 BASIN VIEW DRIVE. It could likely be at another house, but I'd bet it would be near that location. They roam around a neighborhood, but there's probably a center to their territory. They can be easily tracked down if they are singing. Sounds that it's imitating: Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Robin calls, Tree Swallow, Western Kingbird... among others. Mockingbirds sing at night, and it's a bird I miss, being away from growing up further south. But the last two nights..... Ahhhhhh! the sounds were great!OBOL has changed its address and I haven't subscribed yet, so you won't see this on OBOL unless someone forwards it.Kevin Spencerrriparia@charter.net

May 18, 2008
On an outing on Friday to the marshes on Bliss Road, we found the American Bittern, but the Cattle Egret was gone (this is a follow up to the sightings of Sunday, May 11th for the NAMC). It was in the middle of the day, very hot, and there was very little life on the water.

Mary Ellen Sargent