LHESAUD UBOIN BOECE REN 5| 
first nest of Killdeer eggs today. April 6, silver poplars in bloom, April 7, 
box elders and forsythia in bloom. April 9, five nests of Bluebirds, three 
with five eggs, two with four eggs. Found two Dove nests with eggs, 
one nest on the ground and one in a last year’s Robin’s nest. Woodcocks 
have eggs. April 14, Swifts are back from Central America. April 15, 
spice bush in bloom. April 16, redbud trees, anemones, sassafras, blue 
and yellow violets, Dutchman’s britches in bloom. First Bank Swallows 
catching caddis flies over mill creek. Myrtle Warblers and Water 
Thrushes are the first of the warbler group to appear. April 17, crow- 
foot in bloom. ‘Titmice have eggs. Cardinal nests complete with eggs. 
Have found paper and chewing gum wrappers, even tin foil in their nests 
this year. Hard maples in bloom. Caught a fox snake. Whippoorwills 
are here. Great Blue Herons have eggs. April 19, the gorgeous Papilo 
Asterias is toying with the plums and pears, which are just in bloom. 
House Wrens are here. April 20, shepherd’s purse is in bloom. Morell 
mushrooms are numerous, particularly under the elm trees. Big flight 
of Cormorants. Increase in Swifts. April 21, Helldivers are here. April 
22, many snakes are out, mashed garter and fox snakes are particularly 
numerous on the hard roads. Wood Thrushes here. Brown ‘Thrashers 
carrying brush for their nests. White-throats singing their “Peabody” 
songs. April 23, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks found the sunflower seed on 
my feeding shelf and awakened me with their fine song. Bluebells and 
Sweet William make the hillsides blue. Goldfinches are on the ground 
feeding on dandelion seeds. April 24, Red-headed Woodpeckers have 
taken command at my feed tray. Increase in large yellow morell mush- 
rooms—mighty good with beefsteak. Also picked my first mess of inky 
caps. Blue Jay has four eggs in the hedge fence. April 25, painted tril- 
lium in bloom; also wild carrots. Cliff Swallows and Crested Flycatchers 
came in last night. The tiny Blue Gray Gnatcatcher is collecting nesting 
material and building on top of an old shellbark hickory limb. April 26, 
Warbling Vireos are here and are singing. April 27, young Woodcocks 
out today. ‘The native who showed us the nest says he shoots several 
dozen each Fall on Bay Island. “The mother Woodcock returned to young 
when we were within four feet of the youngsters. April 28, Grasshopper 
Sparrows are buzzing in the grass. Found a fence post with an exposed 
Bluebird’s nest in a partial knot-hole. Four eggs were gleaming like big 
turquoises. hey have used this location for four years. April 29, ground 
squirrels are above ground. April 30, Yellow Throats are singing “Wit- 
cheree,’ while the Pine Warblers are complaining in the trees. 
May 1, Common ‘Terns are picking bugs off the water. Pawpaws 
in bloom. Red-wings have eggs. Found three nests of Upland Plover, 
four eggs in each, 
May 2, Dickcissels are here; likewise Baltimore Orioles. A thou- 
sand Great Blue Heron babies broke shell this week at two heronries 
up-river. May 3, Kingbirds are chasing Crows. Four young Shrikes 
