“Merlin in Piscataway Park” photo shared by MJ Garcia. I began writing this post, hours ago, prepared with facts and statistics about the abundant species of birds found in North America, and then also about the specific species identified locally in our area. I wanted to include all of the data I’ve collected about the issues critical to the protection and survival of birds I found in order to share a brilliantly written, thought-provoking piece in honor of National Bird Day

by Wilton C. Corkern, President The Accokeek Creek wetland is a great place to see (and hear) Belted Kingfishers. Perched on a bare branch above the water, a Kingfisher looks a bit like a bigger, stockier Blue Jay. Its back is solid blue-gray; its head large and double-crested; its neck ringed with a broad white collar. Its distinctive “metallic rattle” of a call often precedes a sighting. A solitary bird except during the nesting season, the Kingfisher is fiercely territoria