There is a 40 acre hay field across from my house with an ash tree in the center surrounded by thick bushes. I noticed a bird flying out of the tree and down to the deep snow surface, picking up something, and returning to the tree. This was an adult N. SHRIKE. I saw it drop down several times, then it flew quickly to the bushes as an AMER. KESTREL came in and perched in the treetop. Kestrel stayed for about 15 minutes, the shrike lurking in the bushes. I decided to go out to see what the shrike was interested in, so donned high boots and postholed the 100 yds. out to the tree. (This naturalist stuff can be a burden sometimes.) Around the bushes, on the snow surface were some slim larvae, about 1/2" long, almost black, with a somewhat bulbous, smooth rear end. No idea what they are.Continuing across the field, I then came across scattered winter stonefly larvae--3/8" long, striped gray and white, with the characteristic two "horns" off the butt. Now I see what the bluebirds are getting off the snow. Steve FastBrooktondale
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