My husband and I have been out of the country a lot this winter and spring, leading tours to Central America and attending birding festivals as vendors (or participants).  Being gone most of March and April, we're paying the price by having to catch up on lawn and garden work before heading back to Magee. Hard to focus on pulling weeds and planting flowers when the air is full of song!

Warblers seen included Cape May, Palm, Redstart, Blackpoll, and a Magnolia that was bathing in the bubbling rock right outside my patio door.  We also had an Empidonax flycatcher and Swainson's Thrush, but the sight that really delighted us was the return of a male Pileated Woodpecker to our peanut feeders.  At first we were upset when a Blue Jay startled him away from the feeder, but then saw that a Cooper's Hawk was the reason for the Jay sounding the alarm.  The Hawk flew after the Pileated, but did not pursue him for long.  I guess I need to spend a little more time in my yard!  With binoculars instead of a hoe and trowel!

Cindy Beckman
Cheepers! Birding on a Budget
www.cheepersbirding.com

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