Hi - For those who like to travel South in mud season, two reports.

For the second time, I was able to attend the San Diego Bird Fest for at least 
two of the four day event. Last year, on the day-long "Birding 100" trip, we 
saw 128 species.  Of these, 32 were new for my life list.  This year, I added 
another 15 birds to my life list.  The venue is cozy and people very nice 
(birders after all). Having the range of habitat - from high desert to canyon to 
coast - really makes this worthwhile.

In a quick business trip to Orlando this month, I regretted not staying for a 
birding vacation as I did once before.  In just the hour-long shuttle ride from 
airport to hotel, I saw the following.  

10 pie-billed grebe
15 turkey vulture
3 great blue heron
3 great egret
5 cattle egret
12 snowy egret
16 anhinga
4 common grackle
1 boat-tailed grackle 
many crows - unable to count
many ducks - too difficult to identify in flight and on water

Meanwhile, the sounds of spring are growing around our property in 
Hinesburg.  Kay Johnson