My neighbor owns the unmanaged hayfield around us. The field usually gets cut for hay just once in late summer. The unmowed field is currently supporting a blue grosbeak nest near the edge of our yard. The pair has been carrying food for over a week now. Any time I am near that part of the yard, the pair "chinks" their displeasure at me. They usually have a beak-full of bug when sounding off. They prefer to perch on the tall ironweed plants before descending to the nest. Their presence has been a real treat this spring and summer. In other backyard bird news, the mockingbirds are building yet another nest. At least two nests have fledged young already. Scott Freidhof Rowan County