The biggest blizzard in Maryland history hammered us yesterday. The sun is out today and the excavations begin. I can't get to the feeders. I dug out the birdseed cans at dawn and spread the seed on my deck. A dozen normally shy Blue Jays have shown up to have breakfast :)

Tags:   blizzard snow blue jay blizzard Jonas

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A large group of Fish and American Crows are wintering at Wilde Lake. They seem to be quite interested in snatching the fish from the gulls when they can. They seem to stay together with both species forming one large flock. I've seen them eating berries and many were eating the juniper berries. Very camera shy they don't stay still when they see the lens. This one could be either species since I didn't ever see it call. I love to watch them and observe their behaviors.

Tags:   Wilde Lake crow

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The American Crows were agitated and creating a fuss. We thought it might have been a raptor. Quite the surprise to see a mob of crows chasing this pair of Common Ravens. It's becoming a regular occurrence to see them. Once quite a rarity.

Tags:   common raven

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We disturbed a family of Common Ravens as we hiked back into the woods. They flew about and were quite vocal. It appears it was a family group with a few young birds in the midst.

Tags:   bug Safari common raven catoctin furnace quad

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The Kite was quite nonchalant about the Fish Crows perched around it. They were making soft sounds but not harassing the Kite as I have seen them do to other raptors. It is likely they did not recognize it. Since it was hunting dragonflies it didn't appear as much of a threat.

Tags:   mississippi kite Ictinia mississippiensis bird kite raptor Fish Crow

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