I apologize for being botanically challenged. I spent much of my university years concentrating on geology and invertebrate zoology/paleontology. So when exorted to look for low lying poorly-drained fields with stands of smartweeds (in order to locate LeConte's sparrow) I am basically clueless, although I am willing to learn. Is there a website or recommended reference where one can find out about these useful "weeds?" I was in California working during the sparrow symposium. I doubt if such exist in my own fields, although they are very weedy - no herbicides on my side of the road. We live on an upland, Flint Ridge, but the soil is poorly drained since it is based on shales and clays. In other farm news - the mystery of the small accipiter I saw at great distance on Friday has (I think) been resolved. Saturday morning there was a male Cooper's hawk cruising around our house and barns, probably the same individual. so, no sharpie, but an always interesting species. Common yellowthroats, probably not our resident population, are present on the back forty, in the weeds, responding to pishing, always delightful. I saw or heard all five common woodpeckers on the farm yesterday: downy, hairy, red-bellied, flicker, pileated. Hairy is always the tough one, but Jane and I saw a male as we sat on the bench at "Valhalla Falls" yesterday afternoon. Bluebirds seem more common than during nesting season. Sunday I saw a hatch year male (?) checking out the natural cavity (downy woodpecker excavation) that hosted a failed nesting attempt two years ago. Apparently it was seeking shelter from the wind. The nest boxes may have been full already. Bob Evans Geologist, etc. Hopewell Township, Muskingum County ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS