I received a delightful, handwritten letter today from Angela K., a resident of Baltimore County. She wrote to me in response to the article on migrating songbirds I wrote for The Sun last week. She has graciously given me permission to reprint her letter here. I am omitting her last name to protect her privacy. Enjoy!

"Dear Mr. Roylance.

 "I do not own a computer, hence the letter. I am 93 years old and have a remarkable tale to tell about my (at least two) catbirds.

"I lived alone for years after the death of my husband, and therefore had plenty of time to observe my 'bird company.' For at least 10 years I have observed my two friends (catbirds) returning to my back windowsill for a raisin feast, practically [the] same days for arrival and departure.  I no longer am able, because of a stroke, to keep [the] same records in my calendar I once did.

"Someone told me they nest in the Yucatan area in Winter, but they return each year to my backyard window sill, even recognizing my voice when I am talking inside my house, and fly near the window to let me know they have returned.

"I now have so-called 'care-givers' who I employ and find a somewhat indifference on their part, due to their many chores, to put raisins each A.M. on the kitchen window sill.

"When I was able to walk in my yard, they would follow me from bush to tree, talking to me in their chirps.

"I remember years ago worrying after they left to go South for the Winter, when hearing of a cyclone occuring in either N.C. or S.C. But they are still back to my house and yard each Spring looking for the raisins on the window sill of my kitchen window.

"Living alone, I suppose, made it my pleasure to observe my catbirds. I hope you will contact the National Geographic Society to let them know the 10 years of my observation of my catbirds each summer, and their remarkable memory of where to return from as far away as their Winter nesting territory, which I think I read years ago was near the Gulf of Mexico.

"Perhaps a geo-locater could be placed on one of my birds to find out how many stops they make before returning to my home in Baltimore County in each Spring.

"They leave here approximately in September, mid-month and return in March or April. This year they returned a month earlier than usual but I noticed the other song birds did, too.

"Thank you for your interesting article.

"Sincerely, Angela [K]." 

The photo is by Prof. Dan Sudia. Credit: dansudia@comcast.net Used with permission.