Cathy

Activity 3:  I took a walk in our complex, part of which borders some woods.  I heard a wide variety of bird sounds.  I am sure there are many I could not identify.  I did note sparrows singing.  In particular, I noticed how very loud just one little house sparrow can be.  He was perched on top of my garden apartment building, singing loudly. I also heard the beautiful song of the wood thrush.  I knew I had heard that beautiful song before, but after reviewing the songs for this bird I now know that sound I heard was the wood thrush. Of course, as is typical this Spring, I heard robins singing, as well as cardinals. Activity 1:  On a recent walk, I enjoyed watching 5 mockingbirds calling to each other.  I did not realize there were so many in my complex, but while focusing on them and hearing their calls, I could see at least 5.  I also noted the many blue jays in my area calling to each other.  I even noticed this activity with the sparrows.  When I was walking, I noted how when I walked in their path, when they flew away as I approached, they made a squawk sound.  I realize now this may be their way of notifying others as I took their spot on the sidewalk.  During this same walk, I saw two birds chasing and seeming to fight each other.  I didn't realize birds could fight each other so much (it almost seemed they would hurt each other), but now I realize they may have been fighting over territory. I did notice something quite interesting a few weeks back which seemed to be mobbing.  I was watching two types of birds walking around looking for food in the grass.  One was a minority (maybe a grackle if memory serves correctly) and the others were often forcing it to move.  But when another of the same type flew in, the other birds stopped hassling the first bird as much.  I found that interesting (although a little sad - as it was bullying - but that is how nature is). I look forward to watching behaviors more.

Cool turkey pictures, Danya.   When I have seen wild turkeys in Maryland, they were more drab and not 'puffed up' like that.  I wonder if these are breeding colors, as the red neck on the bird in your photo is quite striking.  Thanks for sharing.

Activity 2:  I was surprised at many of the birds in the explore birds section, as I had not seen quite a few of them.  I was surprised that robins were listed as year round, as it is unusual to see them in the winter.  I might see them once a year on a very nice day in the winter.  But seeing them typically is a sign of Spring to my friends and I. Cardinals and blue jays are also listed as all year, which matches my experience. I learned I should not expect to see the common grackle in the winter. The red-winged blackbird will be less common when I visit one of my favorite sites in the winter. I was surprised to see the following birds listed as summer birds in my area:  Indigo Bunting, tree swallow, orchard oriole, green heron, scarlet tanager, purple marlin.  I may have seen the female scarlet tanager, but never a red, male one.  Seeing any of these birds would make my day.   Many area (Maryland) birds which are common are relatively year-long, but not all.

@Lara Hi Lara.  I think I have a Great Horned Owl living near me too.  Although I'm in a small city, we back onto a very large park.  I hear the owl at night and it amazes me how loud it is.  I heard it as I was walking around yesterday evening.  I went on an owl prowl through a regional park many years ago, and all I remember was it was very hard to see anything - though we could hear several owls.  I hope that you get more chances to see your local owls.  Thanks for sharing.

1.  Bird watching exercise.  I looked in the area by my apartment for 10 or 15 minutes for this exercise.   I saw crows, sparrows, robins, and many blue jays.  I hadn't previously noticed how steeply blue jays could dive, and how quick the birds are.   I also noticed that birds often chase each other.  I always knew this but now that I am paying more attention, this seems to be more noticeable to me.   On this day, the crows and sparrows were chasing each other.  But yesterday I saw 2 different species of sparrows chasing each other and actually seeming to fight.  I was quite surprised at how aggressive one of them was. 2.  Merlin's locality tool.  I was very surprised at some of the birds which I could, in theory, see in my area.  I also noticed a bird that I could add to my life list, the orchard oriole. Activity 3: Using range maps or bar charts, find five birds that pass through your area that you didn’t know about:   I didn't know that the following birds could be in my area:  Wood Duck, American Kestrel, Green Heron, Virginia Rail, Cedar WaxWing.  I was surprised to see the Peregrine Falcon on the list.  The university that I went to in the MidWest helped with an initiative to help increase their population in the 1980s.  I was surprised to learn, when I listened to the call recording, that I have likely heard them out East in Maryland where I am currently living.

Very nice pic of the bluebird.  It seems quite large, or is that just how it looks from the angle.  I didn't realize they got that large!

Thanks for the nice story.

Although not in my backyard, I do sometimes see herons in nearby rivers and natural areas in Maryland.  It's always a treat to see them, and they fly so majestically.

Oh what a great pic of the great horned owl.  I think we have one in the trees by me, but I have never seen it.  Good for you all for saving the owl!  Thanks for sharing.

@Bruce Awesome picture of the Pileated woodpecker.  It does look huge!   It must have been amazing to almost stumble into one.  I've seen a few of these in Maryland in the woods and recently just outside my apartment.  But I have never been so close to one!