fewer warblers, a flock of swifts and another Box Turtle

Most of the warblers that were here yesterday seemed to have left us last night, perhaps for more northern climes, but there were a few nice ones still here: Canada Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, N. Parula, Common Yellowthroat and Yellow Warbler. This last was unaccountably missed yesterday; it would have made an even dozen. But why be greedy; seven species of warbler is not bad for this area these days.

A flock of at least a dozen Chimney Swifts was twittering overhead -- probably a migrant group on its way north (our local birds are already on territory but I've seen only one so far on --  or rather above -- this place; just a couple of days ago).

Earlier in the morning as I began my walk down the path to the pond, a Red-tailed Hawk jumped from its perch on a Sandy-killed Pitch Pine and, pursued by a gaggle of crows, made its way across the creek. The marsh was quiet with a single Least Sandpiper providing the only excitement (it was, in fact, the first one seen this year). The other least beast -- Least Terns of course -- were again working the creek along with a few larger terns (Common and/or Forster's). Common Loons continued to appear overhead heading north or northeast; these are always single birds on a definite trajectory and they never seem to stop by to take a break.

I've now seen three different Box Turtles, freshly emerged from winter hibernation.
  
Eric Salzman