Had a 3-4 min. close view of a Cooper's Hawk sitting in the tree above my
feeder on Sun., Feb 16 in time to count on the Gt Back Yd
Birdcount.     Otherwise entertaining the usual winter birds, but noticing
the lack of tree sparrows and few juncos too.

Also delighted to see a pair of Mallards on our nearby pond in E.
Dorset.  This is the first that any ducks have been present this winter
where there have always been several.   One wonders whether this is due to
reduced numbers or changing population preferences or what???

Large flock of Robins (22) and Cedar Waxwings (4) feeding in crab apple
tree in Manchester also reported.

Are the people in the RT 22A valley really talking about Tree SWALLOWS here
during the winter?   I didn't know they hung around!

Ruth

Stewarts
E. Dorset, VT
USA