I birded the southeast portion of Van Zandt county from 6-8 am today. On FM 729, near a creek at the Smith county line, I saw two Fish Crows, giving nasal caws that were distinct from those of American Crows in the area. The birds were not begging and acted like a pair, flying around and perching together. They did not give the diagnostic uh-uh Fish Crow call. They were a hair smaller and flew with more rapid wingbeats than a typical American Crow. These features are tough to call, but the persistent vocalizations were distinctive. We have had a few reports of Fish Crows in adjoining Smith county in the past two years, but I am not aware of any for Van Zandt county. Other birds of interest in the area were 2 Yellow-throated Warblers, 1 Yellow-throated Vireo and 3 Acadian Flycatchers. On CR 4823, there was a singing Wood Thrush. In Henderson County, on FM 315, where it crosses Lake Palestine, I had a single Tree Swallow flying over the lake. There are certainly enough dead trees there to make nesting a possibility. Peter Barnes Tyler Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner