A blowsy wind is still coming from the south/southwest and the roar of the ocean surf is unabated but the weather has turned from dank and gloomy to dry and bright with bits of sunshine alternating with the clouds. There was a Black-crowned Night Heron, a Willet and two Snowy Egrets in the pond; one of the egrets seemed to be trying to intimidate the other by puffing out its feathers into a gaudy, unkempt display -- going from elegantly groomed to wild-looking in a split second -- and delivering a growl or snort or two to accentuate the point. Apparently two Snowy Egrets were not supposed to be in the same feeding zone; at least that seemed to be the aggressive message. The other egret quietly moved away but did not leave.
After a longish period of silence, the Eastern Phoebe was fee-beeing this morning and I heard a Downy Woodpecker call at least twice. Both birds have young out of the nest and both may be getting ready for a second round. I also saw a Hairy Woodpecker which brought to four the number of woodpeckers on the scene.The Clapper Rail is calling less but showing more; I saw him slinking around the far end of the open water in the middle of the marsh.
One more call worth mentioning. A repeated warble probably belonged to the Warbling Vireo -- a bird that has been expanding its range out here in recent years. Unfortunately I never did get a good look.
Eric Salzman
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