This morning I did some casual birding back by the little lake at the
end of the runway to see what was up with the Bobolinks.
Like previous drives there were an amazing and depressing amount of
Cowbirds but actually even more today if possible.  They sit on the
airfield fence all around where I had seen what may have been 2 pair (or
maybe 1 pr Bobolink flying in an out of the airfield grass as if
nesting.  Seriously, its like they are watching. That was I think
weekend before last?  Now its been mowed and I didn't see any
Bobolinks.  They may be on the Huffman Prairie side or I just missed
them somehow.  I have to wonder between mowing, normal ground predators
like racoons and Cowbirds if there are ever any successful nestings
there.  If we see the same pair(s) drawn back every year and every year
they fail.  I know the state or FWS got permission to trap Cowbirds in
Kirtland warbler territory, thinking it may be a good idea here too.

A couple of nice birds for me, Thrasher an a pair of Blue Grosbeak, in
addition to birds like Flicker, Orchard Oriole, Yellow Warbler, Rough
Winged Swallow, House Wren, Eastern Meadowlark, Indigo Bunting.  (No
Dickessels)   Didn't see the resident pair of RTHs though.  A few weeks
ago I saw 2 Horned Larks and no Killdeer, today it was the opposite.

I hear stuff all the time that I can't identify but is familiar. Today I
heard a call/song I had never heard (or noticed?) before.   A "Wheet
Now!"  If you listened long enough it sounded a bit like someone saying
Right Now!  Right Now!  in a slightly buzzy froggy voice.  I finally
located the bird, perched on top of a taller bit of vegetation in a
grown up area of field. Sparrowish sized and look, had that dark head
cap clear throat look that an Eastern Kingird has but browner, clear
breast with some yellowish tinge to the abdomen?   Cant remember if
there were wing bars or eye rings, forgot to check.  I was more into
watching the way he threw his head up when he did his Right Now thing.

Marie, Fairborn

P.S.  Mulberrys are about halfway in now, always good to scan those for
birds.

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