The past 10 days we have added 15 new species which included a couple of early arriving Warbler species (Black-throated Green Warbler and a Northern Waterthrush). The Broad-winged and Cooper’s Hawks are setting up nesting territory again and two Great Horned Owls young have fledged and can be seen quite regularly moving around the trees as you come in along the Chevy Chase entrance. Wood Ducks have been checking out nesting locations in the trees around Kleinstuck, however, they will nest as far as a mile away from water sometimes. The young wood ducks after hatching then have to jump out of the nest hole in a tree sometimes as high as 50 feet before then being led to water by the female, talk about a rough way to start life! I was lucky enough to witness this spectacle once and it is quite amazing watching those baby ducks hit the ground and shake it off and join their siblings. So, the next 10 days are looking very mild, and I expect that new birds will arrive daily so get out and enjoy the weather.
