The first White-throated Sparrow of the season (or, at any rate, the first I've seen) appeared yesterday morning even as the crowds of berry-eaters -- Robins, Catbirds, Waxwings -- fell off in numbers. The first American Kestrel of the season appeared over the marsh this morning; it seems odd to say it (the Kestrel was once our most common raptor) but this species has become something of a rarity outnumbered even by the once-rare Merlin. An accipiter chase -- a male Cooper's chasing a female overhead (or, just possibly, a male Sharp-shinned chasing a Cooper's) -- provided some additional raptor thrills as did a Red-tailed Hawk being chased by a whole squadron of crows.
Eric Salzman
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