Clemson area spring update

[Kaye Fenlon <ktfenlon@mindspring.com>]

Although this is my first report to carolinabirds, I have been following
your site since Nov. and really have learned a lot about birding in the
Carolinas. We have lived on Lake Hartwell on the Seneca side looking over
into Clemson forest land for three years.We have heard loons every April as
they pass through. Our First male Hummer arrived April 8 which is 2 weeks
later than last year-with 2 males staying about 10 days. Then for a week we
had no hummers, but now have just one male coming  to the feeders. We are
worried about so few hummers and no females. April 12 one male Indigo
bunting was at our feeders and one again this week. I was most excited
about a Hermit Thrush in my front birdbath in Feb. and again in my driveway
for about 15 min. walking through puddles during a gentle April rain. He
seemed to be foraging for lunch but also just seemed to enjoy wading and
splashing.

Could anyone give me some advice on bird identification tapes or CD's. I
want to buy a new set because my Peterson tales are so old. Would you
recommend the Stokes CD's? I know I am missing a lot of migrating warblers
and vireos because I am unsure of their songs. Any suggestions would be
greatly appreciated. Please contact me thru my e-mail address. Thanks!

The following is a list of birds  in our yard or surrounding  area.

White throated sparrow   Chipping sparrow   Rufous sided towhee 
Brown headed nuthatch-nesting pair in a Bluebird house which they also
roosted in all winter
Gray catbird   Brown thrasher   Yellow Goldfinch
Bluebirds-nesting pair in a   house down by the lake
Red- bellied woodpeckers-nesting pair in backyard
Worm-eating warbler
Red -eyed Vireo   Belted kingfisher   Eastern Phoebe
Chickadee-nesting pair in backyard bluebird house
Yellow-rumped warbler
Ruby Crowned Kinglet- left a few days after the Hummers arrived
Great blue heron

Have a great birding day!

Kaye Fenlon
Seneca,SC
ktfenlon@mindspring.com