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9 Feb Re: Rusty Blackbirds (Harford) [Rick Cheicante ] 9 Feb Re: Rusty Blackbirds ["Derek C. Richardson" ] 9 Feb Rusty Blackbirds [patty craig ] 8 Feb Montgomery County - Fox Sparrows & Towhees - [Jim Green ] 8 Feb Re: Banded American Robin [James Tyler Bell ] 8 Feb Banded American Robin [Bob Mumford ] 8 Feb Charles/PG Counties -- 2/8/10 [Jim Brighton ] 8 Feb eBird and Sensitive Species [Bill Hubick ] 8 Feb PGAS Mtg. Cancelled [Lynette Fullerton ] 8 Feb Eastern Shore Yesterday (7 February 2010) and Black-headed Gull at Depot Pond today [Mikey Lutmerding ] 8 Feb Re: question about snow cover and bird movement [Jim Moore ] 8 Feb Icicles as water sources for birds in winter [MICHAEL SPEICHER ] 8 Feb Wild weekend notes - Dude, Where's my car? [Jeff Shenot ] 7 Feb American Tree Sparrow and Tricolored Heron--Somerset--2/7/2010 [Ronald Gutberlet ] 7 Feb Fw: White Phase Gyrfalcon report Howard County [Rob Hilton ] 7 Feb Jarrettsville yard birds, 02/06-02/07/10 [Kevin Graff ] 7 Feb Prettyboy Yardbirds [Eileen Wise ] 7 Feb New yard bird [Matthew Von Hendy ] 7 Feb Cooper's Hawk Photo Shoot; Yard Highlights [Bill Hubick ] 7 Feb Arizona Birding/Hotspot Guide Recommendations [Alexander Baish ] 7 Feb Best yard bird ever [Joanne Howl ] 7 Feb Re: question about snow cover and bird movement [Andy Martin ] 7 Feb 2 COMMON RAVENS [Patricia Rose ] 7 Feb question about snow cover and bird movement [Andy Martin ] 7 Feb Re: Re Blizzard notes from Woodbine [Rick Sussman ] 7 Feb Re: Re Blizzard notes from Woodbine ["George M. Jett" ] 7 Feb OT: software listing advise for Mac user [Alisa Glassman ] 7 Feb Re: Blizzard notes from Woodbine [Jim Green ] 6 Feb Lewes, DE Pelagic Rescheduled to Saturday, February 27 [Paul Guris ] 6 Feb Re Blizzard notes from Woodbine [MICHAEL SPEICHER ] 6 Feb Blizzard notes from Woodbine [Rick Sussman ] 6 Feb Somber blizzard notes from Jug Bay [Jeff Shenot ] 6 Feb Field trip cancellation: Black Hill Regional Park tomorrow [Rob Hilton ] 6 Feb Birds coping with Blizzard [diane Ford ] 6 Feb Snow (or Blizzard) birds [Jim Wilson ] 5 Feb Correction: Black-headed Gull (not Bonaparte's) at Schoolhouse Pond [Fred Shaffer ] 5 Feb Purple finches in Talbot feeders [Karen Harris ] 5 Feb ocean city [John Pangborn ] 5 Feb Re: Black Hills Park, Peregrine? [Helen Horrocks ] 5 Feb Black Hills Park, Peregrine? [Tom Dunne ] 5 Feb Peregrine Falcon Webcam [Maryanne Dolan ] 5 Feb Bonaparte's Gull [Fred Shaffer ] 5 Feb DC Birds: LT Duck, Merlin, Horned Grebe [Will McPhail ] 5 Feb Re: Slightly OT: Ho Co Bird Abuse article [Melanie Lynch ] 5 Feb Talbot County Longspur - yes ["Strobel, Warren" ] 5 Feb Hooper's Island & Ferry Neck, February 2-4, 2010 [Harry Armistead ] 5 Feb Slightly OT: Ho Co Bird Abuse article [Frank Marenghi ] 5 Feb Re: Long-tailed Duck - DC [Thomas Jones ] 5 Feb Late news: Snowy Owl NW DC Wednesday 3rd Feb ["ALLPORT, Gary" ] 5 Feb Kent County Mid-Winter Count postponed to 14 Feb [Nancy Martin ] 5 Feb New yard bird (well, sort of) [Rick Sussman ] 4 Feb new predator at bird feeder [Patricia Valdata ] 4 Feb Re: Cecil Saturday field trip canceled [Edward Boyd ] 4 Feb Long-tailed Duck - DC [Steve Hersey ] 4 Feb Red-throated Loon - DC [Steve Hersey ] 4 Feb RS: AK, BV, BE, NO LBJ [Patricia Valdata ] 4 Feb Cecil Saturday field trip canceled [Patricia Valdata ] 4 Feb Talbot/Caroline/Queen Anne's, 02/03/10 [Kevin Graff ] 4 Feb Baltimore & Harford Counties, 1/31-2/1/10 [Kevin Graff ] 4 Feb Great Blacked-backed Gull [Joe Hanfman ] 4 Feb Vesper Sparrows in QA County - 2/1/10 [Jim Green ] 4 Feb Catonsville Birds [Bryan MacKay ] 4 Feb Washington County - 2/3/10 [Jim Green ] 4 Feb Talbot County -- 2/3/10 [Jim Brighton ] 3 Feb Pine Siskin - Pasadena - Bodkin Creek [blueheron05 ] 3 Feb Brent Elementary School Bird Count for Kids [Alisa Glassman ] 3 Feb Eagle love, Scaup infatuation [Joanne Howl ] 3 Feb Re: Big January Finale - XTreme Winter Birding (long) [Warren Strobel ] 3 Feb Catbird [Thomas H Beal ] 3 Feb Great Blacked-backed Gull - Brighton Dam [Joe Hanfman ] 3 Feb Loch Raven Reservoir, 02/02/10 [Kevin Graff ] 3 Feb Great Blacked-backed Gull - Brighton Dam [Joe Hanfman ] 3 Feb Lapidum closure [Lin Just ] 2 Feb Oland Rd Savannah Sparrow/No Lapland Longspur [diane Ford ] 3 Feb Wicomico & Somerset Counties , 2/2/10 [Joe Hanfman ] 2 Feb Neck collared Tundra Swans from Worcester County- details [Mikey Lutmerding ] Subject: Re: Rusty Blackbirds (Harford) From: Rick Cheicante <rcbirder AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:13:43 -0500 Likewise. Yesterday (Mon.) I was finally able to pause for a moment and actually look at the birds coming in, rather than the casual glances between shovel tosses. Two Rusty Blackbirds (male) were easy to pick out. First noticed as a solo, it strictly walked the ground and used low brush perches. It was joined by a second. Later they were joined by a mixed flock of Red-wings and cowbirds, and worked the feeders with this flock (staying strictly on the ground and noticeably more peripheral and cautious). Grackles came and went as their own single species flock. No starlings all day. Equally surprising, and also a new yard bird (2 in one day), a Swamp Sparrow worked the ground. There is Swamp habitat a mile or two away, but we are in upland habitat. Chipping, Field, Tree and White-crowned (not present) we will get, but Swamp was a bonus surprise for the day. No Harris' either, but I'm looking and hoping. Best to all during this next round of snow. Rick Cheicante Harford County Bel Air, MD Subject: Re: Rusty Blackbirds From: "Derek C. Richardson" <dcr AT ASTRO.UMD.EDU> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:13:58 -0500 Hi Patty, eBird is particularly interested in Rusty Blackbirds right now: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/rubl-survey-2010 D On Tue, 9 Feb 2010, patty craig wrote: > Sunday I had 3 Rusty Blackbirds at my feeder when the > hordes of Redwings and grackles invaded. There was one > male and two females. They also showed up with the snow > storm in December, but they were alone then. I can't seem > to find the information on the Rusty Blackbird survey, so > I don't know if this is the kind of information wanted. > Could someone post that information again? > > Thanks, > Patty Craig > Dameron, St. Mary's County, MD -- Derek C. Richardson, Laurel, PG County, MD http://www.astro.umd.edu/~dcr/Archives/Photos/birds.html Subject: Rusty Blackbirds From: patty craig <eyrie AT HUGHES.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 08:41:50 -0500 Hi All, Sunday I had 3 Rusty Blackbirds at my feeder when the hordes of Redwings and grackles invaded. There was one male and two females. They also showed up with the snow storm in December, but they were alone then. I can't seem to find the information on the Rusty Blackbird survey, so I don't know if this is the kind of information wanted. Could someone post that information again? Thanks, Patty Craig Dameron, St. Mary's County, MD Subject: Montgomery County - Fox Sparrows & Towhees - From: Jim Green <jkgbirdman AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 20:55:29 -0500 Hi Everybody: Monday, 02/08/10 Decided to give the snow shovel a break (not to mention my back) and venture out on some of the roads in Montgomery County midday. The majority of my birding was viewing birds along the side of the road from inside the car. I first went to Riley's Lock Road with the intention of checking the Potomac River only to be denied when 1/3 of the way down the road (just past the last house on the left) there was a tree down across the road and this is where the plowing had stopped. Along River Road between Riley's Lock Road and Sycamore Landing Road there were various spots where the plowing had included parts of the shoulder of the road down to grass and dirt. At most of these locations along the way were multiple N. Cardinals and more White-throated Sparrows than I cared to see. Other highlights included HERMIT THRUSH (2), EASTERN TOWHEE (7) and FOX SPARROW (2). FYI: for anybody with a 4-wheel drive Hunting Quarter Road is not plowed at all yet at either end so there is no chance to get to Hughes hollow unless you walk in. Sycamore Landing Road appeared to be plowed - the width of one car only - so I headed down the road to try and check the Potomac River for waterfowl, etc. I had smooth sailing until just before the first bridge and there was a fallen tree down here also. The road had not been plowed beyond the fallen tree. So I backed up and continued on River Road. On Willard Road I had a total of 6 FOX SPARROWS including 5 along the side of the road in one location. On W. Offutt Rd. I also saw another 6 FOX SPARROWS and one more E.TOWHEE. I traveled various other back roads of western Montg. Co. but if the road was not plowed to the shoulder there were no birds. I cut through Poolesville and up to Frederick County and there was nothing along the roadsides on Rt. 85, Oland, New Design, Adamstown or Lily Pons Roads. On my return trip I checked the open water of Little Seneca Lake along the Rt. 121 causeway. Among the several thousand Canada Geese I also saw: 32 TUNDRA SWANS, 5 HOODED & 3 COMMON MERGS, 5 BUFFLEHEAD, 6 RING- NECKED DUCKS, 64 CANVASBACK, 4 REDHEADS and 9 RUDDY DUCKS. While I was scanning the waterfowl I first heard and then saw a COMMON RAVEN fly over Rt. 121 It was nice to get out and enjoy the snowladen scenery and see some nice birds at the same time. The highlights for me were the number of TOWHEES (8 total) and FOX SPARROWS (14). I feel like I can go most winters in Montgomery County without seeing that many of either. It was a nice break from the snow. Now, I guess we have to get ready for another one. Bring it on! Jim Green Gaithersburg, MD Work in moderation, BIRD IN EXCESS!!! Subject: Re: Banded American Robin From: James Tyler Bell <jtylerbell AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 17:09:19 -0800 The Smithsonian bird group at the National Zoo bands birds at various locations around DC and in Edgewater. They use color bands as well as the standard aluminum USFWS band. If your color photo of the color bands is clear enough, the might be able to identify the individual bird, assuming that it's a Smithsonian banded bird. Try emailing the photo to: Marm Kilpatrick [marm AT biology.ucsc.edu]   Tyler Bell jtylerbell AT yahoo.com California, Maryland ----- Original Message ---- From: Bob Mumford To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Sent: Mon, February 8, 2010 8:00:00 PM Subject: [MDOSPREY] Banded American Robin yesterday at the east end of Ohio Drive, just west of the Lincoln Memorial, there was a large flock of American Robins generally in the Holly trees trying  to get warm in the sun.  I photographed one with two leg bands: one appeared to be a standard  USF&WS aluminum band and the other a yellow band underneath, with a bit of  red showing below.  Anyone know who would be interested in this bird? Bob Mumford Darnestown Subject: Banded American Robin From: Bob Mumford <Gyrfal AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST yesterday at the east end of Ohio Drive, just west of the Lincoln Memorial, there was a large flock of American Robins generally in the Holly trees trying to get warm in the sun. I photographed one with two leg bands: one appeared to be a standard USF&WS aluminum band and the other a yellow band underneath, with a bit of red showing below. Anyone know who would be interested in this bird? Bob Mumford Darnestown Subject: Charles/PG Counties -- 2/8/10 From: Jim Brighton <jimbrighton3 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 18:17:16 -0500 Jim Stasz, Hans Holbrook, Rob Ostrowski, and myself birded in Charles and PG Counties today. Highlights include: Surf Scoter -- 3 birds at Cobb Island Charles County Red-throated Loon -- 10 birds viewed from the Rock Point area Charles County Wild Turkey -- 35 birds on Morgantown Rd Charles County Iceland Gull -- 1 bird at Schoolhouse Pond PG County Lesser Black-backed Gull -- 2 birds at Schoolhouse Pond PG County Horned Larks -- various locations in Charles County. Largest flock was 10 birds near Allan's Fresh. Gray Catbird -- 2 birds in Rock Point area Charles County Brown Thrasher -- 1 in Rock Point area. 1 on Morgantown Rd Charles County Red-breasted Nuthatch -- 1 bird in Rock Point area Charles County White-crowned Sparrow -- 2 birds near Allan's Fresh Charles County Fox Sparrow -- 6 birds in Rock Point area Charles County Jim Brighton Easton, MD jimbrighton3 AT gmail.com Subject: eBird and Sensitive Species From: Bill Hubick <bill_hubick AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 14:29:13 -0800 Hi Everyone, eBird posted a news item entitled "Guidelines for Reporting Sensitive Species" today: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/sensitive_species. It's a nice summary and it contains important reminders on birding ethics. As with any new birding technology, it's up to us to self-police on the proper handling of sensitive species. I would add one additional option to the list provided by eBird, which is to report sensitive species - especially annual or lingering individuals (i.e., breeding, wintering) - at the COUNTY level. I do this for all Barn Owls roosts, for example. To do so, click on "Submit Observations" and then "Select an entire city, county, or state." You can then easily query for the county of interest. (Note: Leave off the apostrophes in Prince George's and Queen Anne's.) Remember that your species-level comments will eventually be visible, so in these specific cases limit any location details to the report-level (overall) comments, if anywhere. (Under normal circumstances, the more details, the better!) Good birding! Bill Bill Hubick Pasadena, Maryland bill_hubick AT yahoo.com http://www.billhubick.com Subject: PGAS Mtg. Cancelled From: Lynette Fullerton <l_fullerton_1999 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 13:04:02 -0800 Hi! In light of the forecast for the next couple of days, the respective boards of the Prince George's Audubon Society and the Patuxent Bird Club have decided that it's best to cancel tomorrow night's planned meeting. Thank you! Lynette Fullerton http://www.pgaudubon.org Subject: Eastern Shore Yesterday (7 February 2010) and Black-headed Gull at Depot Pond today From: Mikey Lutmerding <mlutmerding AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 15:28:17 -0500 Hi all, Jo Anna and I headed to the Eastern Shore yesterday (7 February 2010), the road conditions over there were much better than here, and there were lots of birds along the cleared roadsides. Our first stop was to sort through a flock of HORNED LARKs along Route 50 near the Easton airport, Jo Anna quickly picked out a single LAPLAND LONGSPUR. We continued on to Ocean City where the large flock (48) of COMMON EIDERs were actively feeding right along the North jetty, there was also a single HARLEQUIN DUCK among the mixed (all 3 species) scoter flock. Along the roadsides we located 3 WISLON'S SNIPE (Rum Point Golfcourse), 2 AMERICAN WOODCOCKs (Egypt Road), and about 10 FOX SPARROWs (singles in most of the sparrow flocks) among the hordes of commoner species. Today (8 February 2010) I did some gulling around Schoolhouse and Depot Ponds, the BLACK-HEADED GULL that Fred found on Friday was seen today at Depot Pond. At Schoolhouse Pond, there were 5 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLs (2 adult, 3 first-cycle) and 2 pale first-cycle HERRING GULLs with large bills and really blocky heads that possibly are some sort of Nelson's x Herring backcross among all usual suspects there. Good Birding! Mikey Lutmerding Croom, MD Subject: Re: question about snow cover and bird movement From: Jim Moore <epiphenomenon9 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 13:48:54 -0500 It is a good question. I don't know whether there's a dispersal after a snow storm, but many birds apparently try to stick it out given the large numbers of birds that show up by the roadsides. Nevertheless, White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos obviously migrate south for the winter. And I expect part of the reason is to avoid areas of permanent snow cover. (BNA online notes regarding White-throated Sparrows that "In central Canada, spring migrants arrive when snow melt exposes portions of forest floor; latest departures in fall are prior to first permanent snowfall.") White-throated Sparrows are found in Maine in winter, but primarily in the south and along the coast where it is warmer and snow cover is likely not permanent. (Dark-eyed Juncos follow a similar pattern). Having, recently moved from Massachusetts, I can also attest to the fact that White-throats are much more common in Maryland in winter than further north in Massachusetts, where snow is likely to linger longer. Jim Moore Rockville, Maryland Andy Martin wrote: > Thanks Frank. Come to think of it, after big storm in Dec, I did > observe both Horned Larks and Savannah Sparrows using the "ground > raised" height effect of snow cover to feed off tall weed and grass tips. > > Andy Martin > Gaithersburg > > Frank Marenghi wrote: >> >> Hi Andy, >> >> Good question. I doubt it though. White-throats, White-crowned, >> Juncos, Song Sparrows, and many other feeder-type ground birds >> regularly winter in regions that have snow cover throughout the >> entire winter (Maine, Nov. or Dec. - April). To say nothing of field >> birds, Snow Buntings, Longspurs, etc. I think these birds utilize >> other foods (i.e., berries, grass seeds, sap) or use open areas >> (wind-blown areas, roadsides, etc.). Bird feeders almost certainly >> help out certain species significantly. N. Cardinals for example are >> expanding their range northward, possibly because of an increase in >> winter feeding by humans. >> >> My personal feeling is that ground hunting raptors like Harriers >> might suffer more. >> >> Best, >> >> Frank >> >> >> >> > Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:42:25 -0500 >> > From: apmartin2 AT COMCAST.NET >> > Subject: [MDOSPREY] question about snow cover and bird movement >> > To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM >> > >> > With extraordinary snow cover in place in parts of MD, do some regular >> > winter residents (White-throateds, juncos and other birds somewhat >> > dependent on ground feeding) make a secondary migration out of the >> area? >> > >> > Andy Martin >> > Gaithersburg >> > apmartin2 AT comcast.net >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now. >> > Subject: Icicles as water sources for birds in winter From: MICHAEL SPEICHER <jugornought AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 09:58:26 -0800 I watched a male Cardinal spend several minutes harvesting water from the tip of an icicle in my Rhodo bush this morning. In this instance he was able to perch on an adjacent branch and reach over to the tip of the icicle. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology confirms this behavior as being common and has some interesting things to say about providing water to birds in winter: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1144 A single Caro Wren has been active at the feeders the last two days after being absent on SAT. Otherwise just the usu crowd. Jim (Michael) Speicher near Burkittsville in S FRED CO Subject: Wild weekend notes - Dude, Where's my car? From: Jeff Shenot <jugbay AT MSN.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 12:37:59 -0500 We got about 29-30 inches here (Jug Bay area; I measured a couple places out in our front pasture on Saturday eve). Yesterday afternoon, a neighbor with a bucket loader on his tractor dug out a passable lane for us to get out to the road. This prompted me to dig out the car - glad to see it again! 'Tho I doubt I'll actually be go anywhere, except maybe over to Upper Marlboro to help dig out my father-in-law. Between Saturday and Sunday I spent 11 hours shoveling around here, and the birds have helped keep my sanity level healthy. We had a couple nice surprises at the house this weekend, and best bird was easily a White-crowned Sparrow, which are very uncommon at our house (seen only once or twice/year, but not seen annually). Friday was best for diversity, with 49 species; Saturday we had 40 species; and Sunday was 45. Over the 3-day period, we had 54 species here, with the WCSP being the only new species for the year. I just read the post about a Gyrfalcon! Wow! It has me thinking I may have to hustle and get my in-laws taken care of just in case I can't resist the temptation to wander up to Howard to have a look for it! Cheers- Jeff Shenot Croom MD Subject: American Tree Sparrow and Tricolored Heron--Somerset--2/7/2010 From: Ronald Gutberlet <rlgutberlet AT SALISBURY.EDU> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 22:11:07 -0500 Hi Everyone, The roads on the lower Eastern Shore were in pretty decent shape today, although I'm happy to report that schools are closed tomorrow! Another bonus birding day? I can live with that. During a quick visit to "Green Dumpster Rd" in Deal Island WMA around midday (7 Feb 2010), I lucked into an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. More accurately, it lucked into me. I was standing by the car looking at a couple Yellow-rumped Warblers when the sparrow flew in and landed right next to me. Cool! A little later a TRICOLORED HERON flew over the marsh and across Deal Island Rd. I also counted 14 TREE SWALLOWS. Finally, on the way back toward Princess Anne, I stopped to look at a nice adult PEREGRINE FALCON perched in a tree beside Deal Island Rd. Good luck to everyone dealing with more serious quantities of snow... Have fun, Ron Gutberlet Salisbury, MD rlgutberlet AT salisbury.edu (Green Dumpster Rd goes by more than one name. This is the first road on the left--when driving toward Chance from Princess Anne on Deal Island Rd--that allows driving access into Deal Island WMA. The road is unpaved with a few potholes; the snow on it isn't deep.) Subject: Fw: White Phase Gyrfalcon report Howard County From: Rob Hilton <aimophila10 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 17:50:28 -0800 Hi, I am passing this on to the list at Rob Abbott's request. Rob Hilton Silver Spring --- On Sun, 2/7/10, Abbott, Rob wrote: > From: Abbott, Rob > Subject: White Phase Gyrfalcon > To: aimophila10 AT yahoo.com > Date: Sunday, February 7, 2010, 4:24 PM > > > Hi Rob.  > > [...] >   > My wife and I > live in Woodbine, MD; 1/4 mile east of Rt. 94 and about 1/2 > mile south I-70 in Howard County, MD. >   > At 3:00pm today, > my wife and I were shoveling out our drive way when I took > break and looked upward in the sky.  I immediately saw > an all-white, raptor-like bird about 100 feet up flying from > north to south toward Montgomery County.  I watched the > bird for about 1 minute as it flew south and > disappeared over a grove of mixed deciduous. >   > The bird was > completely, uniformly white except for very noticeable black > wing tips on the underside of the wings.  The head > showed a noticeable but not bold darkish eyeline (I could > see it as it looked downward and around several times > scanning the wide open farmland below) and the flight > behavior was a pronounced powerful several wing beats > and sturdy straight bee-line flight.  >   > Completely > unmistakable for a white phase Gyr.  I was stunned to > say the least, as not expecting to see this species > here.  I have seen several before in New England in the > '70's and I saw the one in Montgomery/Frederick > County, MD in Feb 0f '94.  >   > I wanted to rule > out any other similar species so, I thought about which ones > would approach this unique plumage: >   > Snowy > Owl > Goshawk > Albino > Red-Tail >   > I have seen many > Snowy Owls, flying and perched, but their shape, appearance > and flight behavior is dissimilar being bulky > and round-headed.  In addition, their > underwings, to my knowledge, do not show black wing > tips.   >   > I have seen many > Goshawks, flying and perched, but the adults are > ashen-grayer overall underneath and showing a bolder > facial pattern. >   > I have > seen several partial to complete albino Red-Tails > before along the east coast.  These birds > typically show the distinct buteo-shape bulging secondaries > giving it a broad-based winged appearance.  While the > underside can be whitish, it will typically show blackish > markings on the wrist and forewing areas complimented by > irregular blackish coloration along the tips, trailing and > leading wing edges. >   > I realize this is a very unusual sighting of > this species in this state but I am completely convinced of > its identification.  >   > If you think it wise, perhaps it would be of > value to share online with others to keep a sharp eye out > for a reappearance.  If you would like to further > discuss/share details, please feel free to contact me at > your convenience. >   > Thanks very much, Rob, and hope you enjoyed > the big snow and now the big dig...... >   > Cheers, >   > > Rob Abbott Subject: Jarrettsville yard birds, 02/06-02/07/10 From: Kevin Graff <whitemarlin2001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 15:20:11 -0800 Hi all, To those who have grackle flocks, thanks for babysitting for them while I need a break chasing them away from last storm and for the juncos safety. Tomorrow, will be out to back roads across Baltimore & Harford Counties. 02/06/10 - 730am-4pm Kevin Graff's 3 acres yard, Old Federal Hill Rd., Jarrettsville, Harford Co., MD WEATHER: Heavy snow/PC, 30-26 degrees, NNE 8 mph- NW 6 mph CACKLING "RICHARDSON'S" GOOSE - 1 (w/ flocks of 77) Canada Goose - 260 (in 6 flocks headed SE) Black Vulture - 2 Turkey Vulture - 1 Cooper's Hawk - 1 Mourning Dove - 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Hairy Woodpecker - 1 Blue Jay - 2 American Crow - 7 Carolina Chickadee - 7 Tufted Titmouse - 8 White-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Brown Creeper - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 4 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 3 Song Sparrow - 2 White-throated Sparrow - 15 "Slate-colored" Junco - 38 Northern Cardinal - 5 Red-winged Blackbird - 1 (flyby) House Finch - 10 PINE SISKIN - 1 (stayed for few minutes and not seen again) American Goldfinch - 9 SPECIES: 26 INDIVIDUALS: 387 02/07/10 - 730am-4pm Kevin Graff's 3 acres yard, Old Federal Hill Rd., Jarrettsville, Harford Co., MD WEATHER: Sunny/Fair, 17-34 degrees, NW 5 mph- WNW 8 mph Canada Goose - 3 Black Vulture - 2 Turkey Vulture - 1 Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 Mourning Dove - 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Blue Jay - 1 American Crow - 5 HORNED LARK - 2 (flyover treeline, west to east, looking for open field) Carolina Chickadee - 7 Tufted Titmouse - 8 White-breasted Nuthatch - 3 Carolina Wren - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 6 Northern Mockingbird - 2 European Starling - 2 Cedar Waxwing - 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Song Sparrow - 2 White-throated Sparrow - 14 "Slate-colored" Junco - 38 Northern Cardinal - 5 PURPLE FINCH - 1 House Finch - 10 American Goldfinch - 10 SPECIES: 27 INDIVIDUALS: 132 Kevin Graff Jarrettsville, MD WhiteMarlin2001 AT yahoo.com Subject: Prettyboy Yardbirds From: Eileen Wise <eileen.inmd AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 17:38:05 -0500 There has been a feeding frenzy at my feeders both today and yesterday. This snowstorm was keeping my feeders busy. Nothing new or exciting but it has been like that the last couple of months. I did hear a WHO_WHO early this morning. I am seeing a Red Shoulder Hawk hanging around today I sighting him/her near the top of one of my pine trees in the back yard. http://www.flickr.com/photos/eileeninmd/4337249725/ I also saw a group of 25-30 Common Grackles hanging around my yard with the usual group of Starlings and a couple of huge American Crows. My usual feeders birds were the Mourning Doves, Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Bluejays, Cardinals, Titmouse, larger groups of White Throat Sparrows and Juncos, American Goldfinches, Carolina Wren and Chickadees. I can not wait until spring, I am tired of snow and cold weather. The snow is too deep on the fireroads to try walking on just yet. BTW, would anyone know a place close to Baltimore to see Snow Buntings. I tried Cape Henlopen about a month ago but missed them and Bombay Hook is kind of far too. I would love to add the Snow Buntings to my life list. Eileen Prettyboy Subject: New yard bird From: Matthew Von Hendy <mattv43 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 14:24:14 -0800 While out shoveling this afternoon, I had a common raven croaking from the large beech tree that overlooks our backyard.  Not bad for the Twinbrook section of Rockville,   Matt Von Hendy vonhendy AT hotmail.com Rockville Subject: Cooper's Hawk Photo Shoot; Yard Highlights From: Bill Hubick <bill_hubick AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 13:10:49 -0800 Hey Everyone, Hope you're all staying warm and that the birding withdrawal hasn't been too severe. Our feeders have been exciting for the last two days, including several especially enjoyable moments. When I realized how attractive the light was this morning, I decided to set up my camera gear and just sit still in a chair near the feeders. While enjoying the great light on our juncos and towhees, I was thrilled when an immature Cooper's Hawk flew in and landed almost too close to photograph. Ever so slowly, I panned to the bird, hoping desperately that it wouldn't immediately fly away, which is pretty much always the case. It didn't fly. It tried several perches and then spent about 30 minutes just preening and watching the feeders with me. It was a very nice consolation for yet another weekend of winter birding blocked by snow! I hope you enjoy! http://www.billhubick.com/photos/updates/20100207.php Other highlights: 780+ Canvasbacks on Rock Creek on 2/6 also 160 scaup, 3 Common Goldeneye, and 28 Ruddy Ducks (The creek is nearly completely frozen today.) Unusual winter yard visitors included a Ruby-crowned Kinglet visiting our suet feeder, our second-ever Hermit Thrush, and our continuing Brown Thrasher. Expected birds were in impressive numbers. Of our marauding flock of 750+ Common Grackles, I was surprised to see that more than half of the flock was Bronzed Grackles. Although they are regular in our winter flocks, this was my largest Bronzed-heavy flock. I felt comfortable estimating the Bronzed count at 400 birds. Good birding, Bill Bill Hubick Pasadena, Maryland bill_hubick AT yahoo.com http://www.billhubick.com Subject: Arizona Birding/Hotspot Guide Recommendations From: Alexander Baish <abaish1 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:51:59 -0800 I'm going to be heading out to Tempe, AZ for a short trip at the end of the month and will probably have a morning and an evening to go birding in the area. I'm not sure how much access to transportation or a car I'll have but I want to make the most of this opportunity to see some new birds of the Southwest. Does anyone have hotspot recommendations for this time of year or a guide to regional hotspots that they would suggest? (obviously, responding off list is best here) I know about the legendary Lane Aba guide to SE Arizona, but am unsure if its coverage area extends northwest to cover the Tempe area. -- Alex Baish Ocean City, MD (home) Baltimore, MD (work/school) abaish1 AT gmail.com Subject: Best yard bird ever From: Joanne Howl <jovet AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 12:34:32 -0500 It's sunny here today, with 25 1/2 inches of snow and drifts of at least 36 inches (what we have measured so far). The bird feeder is a hoppin' place, with large numbers of all the common species. Our best feeder bird yesterday was a PURPLE FINCH, female. It would be cool if a male would come hang out with her, but still it's a good bird for our feeder and I'm glad to see her. She came back today, too. I'm excited to report my best yard bird ever, seen a few minutes ago. I had a PEREGRINE FALCON fly into one of the tall trees into the treeline. I was outside and the bins were inside, but I grabbed a back-up set I keep in my car. I struggled to get a perched view, with the lenses fogged and the focus mechanism reluctant in the cold. I didn't get a look good look at that point and thus couldn't focus to confirm the typical facial mark as it sat, but the bird quickly lifted and flew across the yard in the sunlight, giving us a fantastic view of the slate-gray back and very light underside. Bare-eyed, I thought I saw the facial mask, but I really need bins to be 100% confident in such a mark. I AM 100% confident that it was a falcon with all the other appropriate field marks of a PEREGRINE. It was too big for a kestrel or merlin, and too small for a gyrfalcon. I'm confident. Having spent most of the new year circling the South River Bridge for my 2010 peregrine, with absolutely no luck and a rising gasoline bill, I am ever so grateful and thrilled that one decided to come visit me! Joanne jovet AT aol.com West River, MD Subject: Re: question about snow cover and bird movement From: Andy Martin <apmartin2 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 11:35:16 -0500 Thanks Frank. Come to think of it, after big storm in Dec, I did observe both Horned Larks and Savannah Sparrows using the "ground raised" height effect of snow cover to feed off tall weed and grass tips. Andy Martin Gaithersburg Frank Marenghi wrote: > > Hi Andy, > > Good question. I doubt it though. White-throats, White-crowned, > Juncos, Song Sparrows, and many other feeder-type ground birds > regularly winter in regions that have snow cover throughout the entire > winter (Maine, Nov. or Dec. - April). To say nothing of field birds, > Snow Buntings, Longspurs, etc. I think these birds utilize other foods > (i.e., berries, grass seeds, sap) or use open areas (wind-blown areas, > roadsides, etc.). Bird feeders almost certainly help out certain > species significantly. N. Cardinals for example are expanding their > range northward, possibly because of an increase in winter feeding by > humans. > > My personal feeling is that ground hunting raptors like Harriers might > suffer more. > > Best, > > Frank > > > > > Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:42:25 -0500 > > From: apmartin2 AT COMCAST.NET > > Subject: [MDOSPREY] question about snow cover and bird movement > > To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM > > > > With extraordinary snow cover in place in parts of MD, do some regular > > winter residents (White-throateds, juncos and other birds somewhat > > dependent on ground feeding) make a secondary migration out of the area? > > > > Andy Martin > > Gaithersburg > > apmartin2 AT comcast.net > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now. > Subject: 2 COMMON RAVENS From: Patricia Rose <rosepv1 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 11:29:45 -0500 Good morning birders, Chris Ordiway, my son ask me to post this for him. As Chris was tending the cows at Hard Bargain Farm at 11:11am he heard two birds calling (cruck and tok) as a turkey vulture flew past them. The two COMMON RAVENS were flying south to north over the lower fields of Hard Bargain and Piscataway Park in Prince Georges county Maryland. Chris was so excited he could hardly stay composed long enough to ask me to post for him. He got good looks and heard them clearly too. He tried to get a picture of the three birds in one shot but won't know until he returns home later if he got them. The COMMON RAVENS were headed towards Ft Washington Marina and D.C. My excitement for the morning here in Callaway (St Mary's county) has been the plow going down our dead end road, a sharp shinned hawk flying over my head as it tried to catch a common grackle for breakfast and photographing the snow in my yard. Happy Birding to all, Patricia Viola Rose Subject: question about snow cover and bird movement From: Andy Martin <apmartin2 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:42:25 -0500 With extraordinary snow cover in place in parts of MD, do some regular winter residents (White-throateds, juncos and other birds somewhat dependent on ground feeding) make a secondary migration out of the area? Andy Martin Gaithersburg apmartin2 AT comcast.net Subject: Re: Re Blizzard notes from Woodbine From: Rick Sussman <warblerick AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 09:38:20 -0500 Hi all, Thanks for the tips re snow blower repair. I pulled out the owners manuel and found it can only be a few things causing the blades not to go around, and I checked the machine , so it's not the shear pins. As George says, it is now likely an auger belt which needs to be replaced, so I am out of commission for now. I will call Lowes to see if a replacement can be had there, if not, online. So either way, no snow blower :-( Well, I will feed the birds, and watch... Rick Sussman Woodbine,MD -----Original Message----- From: George M. Jett To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Sent: Sun, Feb 7, 2010 9:25 am Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Re Blizzard notes from Woodbine Rick's snow blower may have belts inside, and they may have stretched with all the use. If so they will need to be replaced. George ----- Original Message ----- From: "MICHAEL SPEICHER" To: Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 6:57 PM Subject: [MDOSPREY] Re Blizzard notes from Woodbine > Rick Sussman wrote among other things > I ran the snow blower this morning up and down...until it finally gave > out, the blades no longer turning. Hope it will work again tomorrow, but > don't expect it to... > > Hey Rick, maybe your "shear bolts" gave out. On my blower there is a > storage compartment on the top of the unit that supposedly contains > spares. Mine is prominently labelled "spare shear bolts" but maybe your > label has worn off. Anyway thought i would mention that the answer to > your problem may be right at hand... > > Feeder birds in S FRED CO today: > Starlings always nearby actually paid a visit to the feeders today for > both B-O sunflower seeds and suet. Otherwise almost all the regulars were > present > > W-crowned, W-throated, and Song Sp. > Cardinals > Mockingbird > M Doves > Goldfinch, no Siskins > > Making a rare appearance today were a couple of Juncos. I moved the > feeders a couple years ago form a lawn location to a more brambly area > which they don't seem to appreciate. > > Also not seen were Caro Wrens...i believe this weather is very detrimental > to them... > > No idea how to measure snow depth in situations like this. Put the > yardstick down in one place and you might measure 18 inches...move it two > feet and measure 32 inches...??? > > Jim (Michael) Speicher > From Broad Run area of FRED CO MD > > > Subject: Re: Re Blizzard notes from Woodbine From: "George M. Jett" <gmjett AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 09:25:17 -0500 Rick's snow blower may have belts inside, and they may have stretched with all the use. If so they will need to be replaced. George ----- Original Message ----- From: "MICHAEL SPEICHER" To: Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 6:57 PM Subject: [MDOSPREY] Re Blizzard notes from Woodbine > Rick Sussman wrote among other things > I ran the snow blower this morning up and down...until it finally gave > out, the blades no longer turning. Hope it will work again tomorrow, but > don't expect it to... > > Hey Rick, maybe your "shear bolts" gave out. On my blower there is a > storage compartment on the top of the unit that supposedly contains > spares. Mine is prominently labelled "spare shear bolts" but maybe your > label has worn off. Anyway thought i would mention that the answer to > your problem may be right at hand... > > Feeder birds in S FRED CO today: > Starlings always nearby actually paid a visit to the feeders today for > both B-O sunflower seeds and suet. Otherwise almost all the regulars were > present > > W-crowned, W-throated, and Song Sp. > Cardinals > Mockingbird > M Doves > Goldfinch, no Siskins > > Making a rare appearance today were a couple of Juncos. I moved the > feeders a couple years ago form a lawn location to a more brambly area > which they don't seem to appreciate. > > Also not seen were Caro Wrens...i believe this weather is very detrimental > to them... > > No idea how to measure snow depth in situations like this. Put the > yardstick down in one place and you might measure 18 inches...move it two > feet and measure 32 inches...??? > > Jim (Michael) Speicher > From Broad Run area of FRED CO MD > > > Subject: OT: software listing advise for Mac user From: Alisa Glassman <alisaglassman AT MSN.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 09:06:34 -0500 My husband & I both own Mac computers. Currently, we use an excel document to list our lifebirds. We know there are good listing programs for Windows but were wondering if there were any comparable software listing programs for Macs. Or, perhaps a good online site for listing. Thanks so much for your advise. You can reply to alisaglassman AT msn.com. -Alisa Glassman Subject: Re: Blizzard notes from Woodbine From: Jim Green <jkgbirdman AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 13:54:31 +0000 Hi Rick: Can't help you with snowblower repair. I spent 2 hours shoveling out the driveway Fri. night and 5 1/2 hours yesterday and am done except for a few minor things. My shovel and I did a hell of a job. Will be ready to watch the Md. Terps kick some Tarheel butt at 2 PM and then settl in for the Super Bowl with 5 lbs. of chicken wings I will make. I sure could use a few pints of WICKED WINTER WEIZENBIER to wash them down! Be careful out there everybody and stay safe. Hoping and praying for some snow days off from work so I can maybe explore some back roads of Md. Jim Green Gaithersburg, MD Work in moderation, BIRD IN EXCESS!!!   ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rick Sussman" To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Sent: Saturday, February 6, 2010 3:19:56 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [MDOSPREY] Blizzard notes from Woodbine Hi all,  The snow finally seems to be tapering off here. We have probably 28-30 inches on the ground (and the deck, the driveway, the roof, the porch...), but it's hard to get an exact measurment. I ran the snow blower this morning up and down the long drive and our immediate driveway just to get a handle on things, then ran it across the deck, where we had very high drifting snow. I ran it until it finally gave out, the blades no longer turning. Hope it will work again tomorrow, but don't expect it to, so I don't know how we'll deal with all the snow then. Anyway, as with Jeff, we have hordes of birds at all the feeders, and many just feeding on the back deck where I scattered lots of mixed handfuls of seed (black oil, white millet, peanuts shelled and whole). This seems to be where the majority of the bird activity is right now, and things have really picked up since around 2 PM. I didn't bother to count, just watching and enjoying the show. I may have the only open running water for miles, as my fountain, though nearly covered with snow, is still running! Nothing really unusual, but fun to watch never-the-less. Haven't seen the adult Coop that made a low pass through the yard yesterday. Hope it's bothering somebody else's birds today. I spent the late morning brewing up a homemade micro-brew that I've dubbed "Wicked Winter Weizenbier, a Storm of the Century Classic" That should take some of the chill off the cold winter nights ahead! Stay warm, Rick Sussman Woodbine,MD Subject: Lewes, DE Pelagic Rescheduled to Saturday, February 27 From: Paul Guris <paulagics.com AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:27:08 -0500 Due to this weekend's massive storm, we have rescheduled our annual annual winter pelagic to Saturday, February 27 and will run it if we can get enough people. As usual, we'll be sailing from Lewes, DE aboard either the 85' Thelma Dale IV or the 110' Thelma Dale V. We plan on visiting both Delaware and Maryland waters. This trip has been very consistent for Dovekie, with our best trip finding over 4,000 of them. Poor years have still produced counts of over 100. We have also found Northern Fulmar, Atlantic Puffin, Common Murre, Thick-billed Murre, and Razorbill on past trips. Chumming along the way often produces Northern Gannet, Glaucous, Iceland, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and Black-legged Kittiwake. The trip cost is $165, and the boat sails at 6:00 AM, returning at roughly 6:00 PM. To make a reservation, go to our web site or you can contact us by phone or e-mail. Hope to see you aboard. -PAG -- Paul A. Guris See Life Paulagics PO Box 161 Green Lane, PA 18054 215-234-6805 info AT paulagics.com Subject: Re Blizzard notes from Woodbine From: MICHAEL SPEICHER <jugornought AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 15:57:37 -0800 Rick Sussman wrote among other things I ran the snow blower this morning up and down...until it finally gave out, the blades no longer turning. Hope it will work again tomorrow, but don't expect it to... Hey Rick, maybe your "shear bolts" gave out. On my blower there is a storage compartment on the top of the unit that supposedly contains spares. Mine is prominently labelled "spare shear bolts" but maybe your label has worn off. Anyway thought i would mention that the answer to your problem may be right at hand... Feeder birds in S FRED CO today: Starlings always nearby actually paid a visit to the feeders today for both B-O sunflower seeds and suet. Otherwise almost all the regulars were present W-crowned, W-throated, and Song Sp. Cardinals Mockingbird M Doves Goldfinch, no Siskins Making a rare appearance today were a couple of Juncos. I moved the feeders a couple years ago form a lawn location to a more brambly area which they don't seem to appreciate. Also not seen were Caro Wrens...i believe this weather is very detrimental to them... No idea how to measure snow depth in situations like this. Put the yardstick down in one place and you might measure 18 inches...move it two feet and measure 32 inches...??? Jim (Michael) Speicher From Broad Run area of FRED CO MD Subject: Blizzard notes from Woodbine From: Rick Sussman <warblerick AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 15:19:56 -0500 Hi all, The snow finally seems to be tapering off here. We have probably 28-30 inches on the ground (and the deck, the driveway, the roof, the porch...), but it's hard to get an exact measurment. I ran the snow blower this morning up and down the long drive and our immediate driveway just to get a handle on things, then ran it across the deck, where we had very high drifting snow. I ran it until it finally gave out, the blades no longer turning. Hope it will work again tomorrow, but don't expect it to, so I don't know how we'll deal with all the snow then. Anyway, as with Jeff, we have hordes of birds at all the feeders, and many just feeding on the back deck where I scattered lots of mixed handfuls of seed (black oil, white millet, peanuts shelled and whole). This seems to be where the majority of the bird activity is right now, and things have really picked up since around 2 PM. I didn't bother to count, just watching and enjoying the show. I may have the only open running water for miles, as my fountain, though nearly covered with snow, is still running! Nothing really unusual, but fun to watch never-the-less. Haven't seen the adult Coop that made a low pass through the yard yesterday. Hope it's bothering somebody else's birds today. I spent the late morning brewing up a homemade micro-brew that I've dubbed "Wicked Winter Weizenbier, a Storm of the Century Classic" That should take some of the chill off the cold winter nights ahead! Stay warm, Rick Sussman Woodbine,MD Subject: Somber blizzard notes from Jug Bay From: Jeff Shenot <jugbay AT MSN.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 14:14:46 -0500 This is a brutal storm, the opposite of a hurricane. Sadly, we have a lot of broken tree limbs and damaged mature shrubbery. My immediate concern is I really hope we don't lose power, it is just nasty out now and may get worse as temps drop this eve and snow continues to fall. I expect some areas will have substantial damage to wildlife habitat. This morning I shoveled for 3 hours clearing around the barn so we can care for our horses, but I made only a dent in what needs to be done. I enjoyed watching the feeders when I came in for a break. Activity at the bird feeders has been insane. Just like the December storm, we have been invaded today by a large grackle flock, which I keep scaring away as best I can. As soon as the grackles leave the song birds come bursting onto the scene, and it is amazing. All 12 feeder stations are absolutely crazy, and species are completely mixed together with diverse combinations at all the feeders. On a bright note, the Baltimore Oriole is still here and doing well. It has been feeding here daily since December 31! I tried to count birds as best I can when the grackles leave. I tried three times and got pretty consistent totals of 165, 180, and 170 birds at the feeders. Highlights include a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a lone Fish Crow (eating Black Oil Sunflower seeds; always present here, but a very rare feeder bird), 4 Am. Tree Sparrows, a Fox Sparrow, 55 White-throated Sparrows, 15 Song Sparrows, 16 Juncos, 14 Cardinals, 40 Am. Goldfinches (no Siskins), 12 House Finches, a possible Purple Finch (got only a brief look before grackles scared it off), and 15-20 birds of miscellaneous species. Time to get back out and do more shoveling. Hang in there and keep feeding the birds! Jeff Shenot Croom Md Subject: Field trip cancellation: Black Hill Regional Park tomorrow From: Rob Hilton <aimophila10 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 10:08:41 -0800 Hi, Andy Martin called me an hour ago while I was shoveling. He is powerless, I mean, he doesn't have electricity, so he can't get the word out to MDOsprey. He asked me to post that his Montgomery Bird Club field trip to Black Hill Regional Park is cancelled. Rob Hilton Silver Spring, MD 22 inches of new snow and counting Subject: Birds coping with Blizzard From: diane Ford <dmford455 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 07:16:10 -0800 Hi all,     When I got up, the population at the feeders was big. Starlings were guarding the suet feeder, except a lone Downy Woodpecker.  Many Mourning Doves, House Sparrows, Juncos, White throated, Song Sparrows, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted titmouse. Many sparrows are using cover under our trailer.  I'm going out to put seed under there, and in the park for other birds. Had a Cooper's Hawk yesterday in the yard. D.Ford/bethesda.  (24"+ in Bethesda md.) Subject: Snow (or Blizzard) birds From: Jim Wilson <wlsngang AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 10:11:03 -0500 From first light, the birds started gathering. First the Cardinals, Juncos and White throats. They knew where the seed was ... 20 plus inches down. I headed out and dug a bit and brushed off the feeders and put out plenty of seed. I just finished my second trip with seed ... the snow is winning. Snowbirds so far ... 1 Fox Sparrow - really gorgeous - wish it would show up more often than every time we get 20 inches of snow. 1 Mourning Dove 1/2 of all the Grackles in Queen Anne's County 1/3 of all the Starlings in Queen Anne's County ... Plus all the regulars. We still have electricity but my daughter in Sudlersville has had no electricity since 2:30 am. She has 3 kids, 7 horses and no water. Do not judge me harshly, but I am glad I am not there! It's just me and my Beloved and 2 dogs, 5 cats and 32 chickens and lots of grackles Stay safe and warm. Jim Wilson Queenstown Subject: Correction: Black-headed Gull (not Bonaparte's) at Schoolhouse Pond From: Fred Shaffer <glaucousgull AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 23:28:11 -0500 After going over my digiscoped photos and getting feedback from a variety of knowledgeable gull watchers, I am correcting my earlier identification of the small hooded gull seen earlier today at Schoolhouse Pond. My marginal photos and my observations from the field support an identification of Black-headed Gull. Initially I identified it as a Bonaparte's Gull. But several features gave me pause and caused me to take the second look at it after work today and then to e-mail out a few of my photos for comments. I passed it off as a Bonaparte's because it had a relatively washed out, blackish gray bill (with only a slight reddish tinge). The bird did not have the bright reddish-orange bill that I am used to seeing on adult BHGU. The bill wasn't jet black, but a more diffuse dark gray with a faint reddish tinge (visible when I zoomed in and in some of the photos). Also the bill was slightly thicker and longer than I was comfortable with for a Bonaparte's Gull. The apparent shade of the bill may have been affected by the overcast and snowy conditions as well. However, it was the size that really caused me to question my identification. The gull appeared relatively large in comparison to the surrounding gulls, being only only slightly smaller than the nearby Ring-billed Gulls, not significantly smaller as a Bonaparte's would have been. The bill shape and size and the overall size of the bird was observed and photographed from a variety of angles and not impacted by the snowy conditions and poor light like the shade of the bill was. Thank you again to those who provided feedback and insights on this bird. And, I hope my mistake didn't keep others from seeing the gull. By the time I left (around 3:30 or so) the snow was getting pretty heavy, visibility was getting worse, and the gulls had flushed for some reason. Most of the gulls left and I lost track of the BHGU. This is the third Black-headed Gull that I've seen at Schoolhouse Pond. The others were on December 16, 2004 (found by Hans Holbrook) and December 17, 2007. And I believe that Rob Hilton had a BHGU at the pond early in 2009 as well. At least with ones I've seen at the pond, the BHGU was loosely associated with the surrounding Ring-billed Gulls. Perhaps this bird will hang around for awhile like the 1st winter Iceland Gull did in January. Fred Shaffer Crofton, MD GlaucousGull AT verizon.net Subject: Purple finches in Talbot feeders From: Karen Harris <wkh1981 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:32:36 -0800 Two male and two female/imm purple finches finally showed at the feeder today. After having so many last winter 4 seems such a small number. The starlings have also found the feeders.  Karen Harris Talbot County, MD wkh1981 AT yahoo.com Subject: ocean city From: John Pangborn <pangborn.john19 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 19:11:06 -0500 I was the ocean city inlet some of the highlights were Harlequin Duck Common Eider Surf Scoter Common Loon Red Throated Loon Long-tailed Duck GOLF COURSE ROAD (POND) Hooded Merganser Canvasback Northern Shoveler ASSATEAGE ISLAND Gray Catbird Northern Harrier swamp Sparrow Brant Horned Grebe Subject: Re: Black Hills Park, Peregrine? From: Helen Horrocks <hlh_37 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 15:55:07 -0800 There has been a peregrine seen each of the last two years on the Sugarloaf CBC and one was seen during the Frederick Co. Mid-winter Count last Sunday. So, yes, it is entirely possible that you saw a peregrine. Helen Horrocks Ijamsville, Fred. Co., MD hlh_37~at~yahoo.com ________________________________ From: Tom Dunne To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Sent: Fri, February 5, 2010 6:20:04 PM Subject: [MDOSPREY] Black Hills Park, Peregrine? From the 121 bridge in Boyds on 2/4 at 3:30, I saw a falcon flying across the lake towards the shoreline. It was far enough away that I could not see the type of detail that I would like for identification, however, it was definitely a falcon (noted wing shape in flight and flight style, slender build). It was larger than a Kestrel. As it perched, I could make out a white breast/neck and dark head. After sitting for a few minutes, it flew heading farther across the lake out of my view. This flight view reinforced "falcon" in my mind. Are Peregrines seen in this area? If typically not, what else could I have been seeing? Other than that bit of excitement, I saw the Bald Eagle pair perched high above the usual suspects in the small open water area in the vast lake. They, too, eventually took off for the other side of the lake, crossing the bridge giving me wonderful views. tom. Subject: Black Hills Park, Peregrine? From: Tom Dunne <tdunne AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 18:20:04 -0500 From the 121 bridge in Boyds on 2/4 at 3:30, I saw a falcon flying across the lake towards the shoreline. It was far enough away that I could not see the type of detail that I would like for identification, however, it was definitely a falcon (noted wing shape in flight and flight style, slender build). It was larger than a Kestrel. As it perched, I could make out a white breast/neck and dark head. After sitting for a few minutes, it flew heading farther across the lake out of my view. This flight view reinforced "falcon" in my mind. Are Peregrines seen in this area? If typically not, what else could I have been seeing? Other than that bit of excitement, I saw the Bald Eagle pair perched high above the usual suspects in the small open water area in the vast lake. They, too, eventually took off for the other side of the lake, crossing the bridge giving me wonderful views. tom. Subject: Peregrine Falcon Webcam From: Maryanne Dolan <maryanne.dolan AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 18:00:22 -0500 With permission from Norm, I am posting the following message/link from our neighbor, the Delaware Ornithological Society. Given the white-out conditions predicted, armchair birding may be our best hope for the weekend. Link onto the webcam site, add it to your 'favorites list' and enjoy. best maryanne dolan maryanne.dolan AT gmail.com elkton MD (barely a mile from Delaware) From DOS Conservation Chair, Bill Stewart Good morning, The much anticipated Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam live stream is currently available for your viewing at Wilmington Peregrine Falcon Webcam | Delmarva Ornithological Society www.DOSBirds.org . The project was only made possible through a unique partnership with DOS, DuPont's Clear into the Future Initiative, the USFWS and DNREC. Eighteen months in the making, the project hopes to provide a window into this magnificent bird's life in Wilmington. The live stream will be visible 24/7 through July 31st. During this time, viewers should be able to witness courtship, egg laying, hatchlings and fledglings learning to fly and hunt. Another important goal of the project is to heighten awareness to the casual observer of the extremely delicate balance between the Delaware Estuary and the life it supports. In the upcoming weeks, the live stream will also be viewable at the DuPont's Clear into the Future and DNREC's websites. A sister site filled with Peregrine Falcon facts, blog and daily reports will launch soon. During the month of February, the falcons make very infrequent visits to the nestbox, if fact, this morning was the first full view of a falcon this week. I am suspecting they will use the box as a roast during the expected snowstorm, hence, the reason for this somewhat premature posting. To learn more about the project and watch video of last year's banding efforts, click here http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100203/NEWS03/2030321/1006/NEWS Hope everyone enjoys the show. Best, Bill Stewart DOS Conservation Chair Subject: Bonaparte's Gull From: Fred Shaffer <glaucousgull AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:17:32 -0500 Hi folks, I sorted through a large group of gulls on the ice of Schoolhouse Pond this afternoon before heading home (a little after 3). There was a pretty good sized group of gulls gathered on the ice in the increasingly heavy snow. There were approximately 800 Ring-billed Gulls, 14 Herring Gulls, and 1 adult Bonaparte's Gull. The bird was perched on the ice with the Ring-billed Gulls. The Bonie was present both at lunch and after work. It was my first Bonaparte's Gull of the winter at the pond. Otherwise, it was a pretty slow week, with no white winged gulls. The only black backed gulls I had this week were two Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Sunday. One was an adult and one was a 1st winter, and I was able to get somewhat close photos of each. Fred Shaffer Crofton, MD GlaucousGull AT verizon.net Subject: DC Birds: LT Duck, Merlin, Horned Grebe From: Will McPhail <willmcphail AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:19:11 -0800 MD/DC Birders,   Following up on reports from Steve Hersey and Tom Jones, the LONG-TAILED DUCK was still present south of the railroad and 14th Street Bridges at 2:00 this afternoon. He was associating with a male and female Lesser Scaup. It was quite active bird and a wonderful sight in the falling snow. A very nice find for DC!   The HORNED GREBE had moved to nearly halfway between the Memorial and 14th Street bridges but was still very close to the shore. Also, the MERLIN was seen on its usual perch on the large half-dead tree over the golf course across from parking lot number 6 opposite the Washington Channel. Lots of Lesser Scaups on the Potomac side. All this in about 10 mins as I had to scoot home before traffic and conditions got nasty. Now what to do this weekend..... Oh right, go find Gary Allport's Snowy Owl! Happy birding and enjoy the snow.   Will McPhail Washington, DC Subject: Re: Slightly OT: Ho Co Bird Abuse article From: Melanie Lynch <mjlynch AT CBMMAG.NET> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:59:07 -0500 We had a similar incident involving 4 teenage boys, a football and a flock of mallards at our apartment complex. After giving lip to the apartment personnel, the DNR was notified and they paid an immediate call on the parents, explaining the consequences of any repeat performances. It didn't happen again. Melanie Lynch Annapolis > >No sighting to report but thought folks might be interested in this >article I found this moring. > > > > > >http://www.explorehoward.com/news/69070/animal-abuse-our-community-cannot-be-allowed-continue/ > > > > > >Cheers, > > > > > >Frank Marenghi, > >Annapolis > >_________________________________________________________________ >Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. >http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/ Subject: Talbot County Longspur - yes From: "Strobel, Warren" <wstrobel AT MCCLATCHYDC.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:22:13 -0500 Hello all - I had a single Lapland Longspur mixed in with a large flock (100 or more) of Horned Larks at the previously described location in Talbot County, at the junction of Coveys Landing and Lewiston roads. Besides getting a new state bird, the larks were wonderful - staying close to the road for great views, when not flying by and twittering. Longspur was seen around 9:30am - I then headed back to Annapolis to beat the storm. Hopefully these birds will return after (if?) the snow starts melting. Good Birding! Warren and Lisa Strobel Annapolis, MD www.birdcouple.com Subject: Hooper's Island & Ferry Neck, February 2-4, 2010 From: Harry Armistead <harryarmistead AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:38:20 +0000 HOOPER’S ISLAND & FERRY NECK, February 2-4, 2010. MONDAY, February 1. On the way down: 31 Horned Larks on road shoulders of Rt. 481. Rigby’s Folly, late afternoon only: 80 Tundra Swans, 1450 Canada Geese, 45 Canvasbacks, 165 Surf Scoters, 90 Buffleheads, 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Great Blue Heron (headed south - a good move). Clear, calm, 39-34, high tide. TUESDAY, February 2. Rigby’s Folly, fair becoming overcast, calm – SE 5, 26-39. 40 species. In the cove a pair each of Hooded Merganser and Gadwall, species not seen here every year. A 360 degree sun dog develops by mid-day, forecasting the c. 1” of snow to come tonight. 13 deer (1 buck), 10 of these visible on Holland Point from Lucy Point. 4 Gray Squirrels, one running off with an entire corn cob. Bare areas of ground in a few protected places. A lot of seed fall, presumed Loblolly Pine seeds. Also: 1 ad. Red-shouldered Hawk, 85 Herring Gulls (many standing on small, isolated, submerged ice blocks making it look as if they’re standing on the water’s surface), 165 Buffleheads, 140 Surf Scoters, 1 Common Loon, 1 Horned Grebe, 60 Tundra Swans, 5 Black Vultures (2 perched in the walnut tree right over the house), 120 starlings, 4 flickers, 25 robins, 1 black duck, 15 goldeneye, 30 waxwings, 305 Canvasbacks (at the mouth of the cove, a pure flock), 3 male Red-breasted Mergansers, 16 Lesser Scaup, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 1 ad. & 1 imm. Bald Eagle. WEDNESDAY, February 3. HOOPER’S ISLAND but also including the nearby areas of Swan Harbor, Meekins Neck & Lower Keene Broad-Great Marsh Creek. 7 A.M. – 6 P.M. 77 species. I’d wanted to start at 6, but in spite of a 4:30 A.M. wakeup the new snow slows things down considerable. 48 mi. by car, 2 by foot. WATERFOWL: 18 species totaling c. 7687 individuals. Many of these are at distance in the Honga River and some of the estimates are casual. In order of abundance: Ruddy Duck 3000, Mallard 900 (huge dusk flight from the farm ponds between Spicer & Wallace creeks; also several hundred at Mallard Haven at the n. end of Meekins Neck Road), Lesser Scaup 850, Tundra Swan 780, Canada Goose 600, Canvasback 485, Bufflehead 400, Redhead 300, Northern Pintail 85 (with the Mallards), Common Goldeneye 80, Surf Scoter 75, American Black Duck 70 (mostly with the Mallards), Long-tailed Duck 45, Hooded Merganser 6, Greater Scaup 5 (probably many more present but most of the scaup are distant and presumed to be predominantly lessers), Mute Swan 4, American Wigeon 1, Green-winged Teal 1. In spite of much scoping of the glassy waters: no Red-breasted Mergansers – hard to believe. Especially since other piscivores are present in good numbers – for mid-winter: Common Loon 13 (one uttering its wail call when an ad. Bald Eagle flew over it) and 15 Horned Grebes. Eight Bald Eagles is not a great total for here. One of them, an ad., dove at a Mallard on the water. No gannets, cormorants, or pelicans; I didn’t expect any, but some would not have been a total surprise. In Honga a Sharp-shinned Hawk dives acrobatically at a passerine and disappears behind a bush, where an American Crow dive bombs it. Also: Pied-billed Grebe 1, Great Blue Heron only 6, Northern Harrier 4 (3 of them ad. females; 1 ad. male), Red-shouldered Hawk 1, Clapper Rail 1, Virginia Rail 2, Sanderling 4 & Dunlin 170 (Swan Harbor), Wilson’s Snipe 1, Bonaparte’s Gull 8 (Swan Harbor), no owls, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Fish Crow 1, Brown-headed Nuthatch 3 (1 at the Birchmeiers’ feeder feeding voraciously yet also calling almost continuously; too much coffee today?), Winter Wren 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet 3, Hermit Thrush 2, Red-winged Blackbird & Common Grackle 2000 or so, big flight at dusk headed from lower Hoopers Island to across the Bay apparently), Brown-headed Cowbird 40. I almost opted to cruise north Dorchester’s field roads in hopes of finally adding Lapland Longspur to my county list but the pull of Hooper’s Island couldn’t be denied. The recent count of 20 Lapland Longspurs in north Talbot County has to be one of the all-time state highs. Not too long ago there were no Talbot County records. I am amazed to find some field birds at Hooper’s Island, where there are only a few small fields. A Horned Lark and 7 American Pipits (groups of 2, 3 & 2) are foraging right next to the road. Normally if I see them here they’re flyovers. Also see 6 Killdeer. The sparrow show is very good, almost all of these on the road shoulders like the pipits and lark: SPARROWS: Song 87 (used the clicker to keep track of these), Chipping 47 (a single group at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea R.C. Church), White-throated 30, Fox 19, Savannah 3, Swamp 3, Field 1, plus 35 juncos. Missed: Black Vulture, kestrel, yellowlegs, waxwing, towhee, meadowlark & Boat-tailed Grackle. Mammals: 2 Sika Deer the only ones. Good article on them in Tidewater times, the monthly freebie available in stores (February 2010, p. 21-30, by John M. Scanlon). This publication consists mostly ads, real estate, and guides to major central Eastern Shore towns (with maps and lists of events), 4.5 X 6 inches, c. 175 pages each month. Many of the articles are vacuous but the one on Sikas, “exotic alien,” mentions that 6 were released on James Island, Dorchester County, in 1906 and more c. 1920 on Assateague Island. “DNA studies have shown both herds to be virtually identical and to have originated from Yakushima Island, Japan” (p. 22). I’ve found that Sikas, a small elk, are abundant along Griffith Neck Road (between Bestpitch and Elliott Island Road) and once saw 78 in one field there c. 3:45 A.M. one May night. I also like Tidewater times because on p. 43 it lists the tides each month. WEATHER. Worth the trip just for the variable weather. Starts off with a heavy dusting of snow, c. 1 inch, which makes driving on side roads somewhat dicey. Last night’s snow completely covers the Loblolly Pines with a talc-like battering, beautiful winter scenes. Some of the saplings are weighted down, bent by the heavy, wet, slushy snow, which has also plastered the SE sides of the big trees. But all of the tree snow melts by early afternoon. Visibility ¼ - ½ mile or less most of the morning. Overcast. By mid-morning the snow on the trees is in continuous fall. Sun, an opaque silver disk, trying to come through the cloud cover in late morning. Becoming fair by noon, clear by 12:30, fair again by 3:30, then overcast from 4:30. Much of the afternoon is calm, permitting excellent opportunities to scope the mirror-smooth waters. Winds north at 10 when not calm. 34-42 degrees F. Great shafts of light coming through the clouds in mid-afternoon. Tide very low by mid-morning. Ice out from protected bay areas 100 yards or more. Big rectangular ice blocks concentrated on the east side north of Narrows Ferry Bridge. Tar Bay sandbars covered with snow. Marsh grasses matted down with heavy, wet snow (what’s a poor rail to do?) and oriented to the south due to earlier strong north winds. Wind 15 m.p.h. and cold at dusk. Most of the tidal guts and ditches frozen. Tide ebbing again by 4 P.M. A Raccoon at Gum Swamp 6:06 P.M. Two Raccoons and 2 deer (does) at Key Wallace Drive 6:12 P.M. THURSDAY, February 4. Four Gray Squirrels in the yard availing themselves of the corn plus a Sharp-shinned Hawk. I try for the 4th time for the Queen Annes County Northern Shrike, again with no luck. Dan Small said he did a 2.5 hour survey there today but did not see the shrike. SNOWFALL so far on Ferry Neck is 25 inches, 16+ in December and 9 in January, well above normal for the season, with a blockbuster snow storm forecast for this coming weekend (cf. Star democrat, Feb. 4, 2010, p. A1, by Carolyn Swift, quotes John Swaine, who farms our fields). “There’s plenty of room for Alaska’s animals … right next to the mashed potatoes.” Sarah Palin. “Game breeding is an art … The way to go about it is first, destroy all your cats; next yard up and control all your dogs. Indifferent persons should not be allowed to own dogs, or rather to have dogs own them. Then make brush and thick bush clumps where game can retreat and be safe from their enemies. Trap all mice, rats, cats, weasels, mink, skunks, foxes, opossums, raccoons, coyotes, and worthless hunting curs. Use a .410 on red squirrels, water snakes, screech owls, blue jays, crow blackbirds. Poison the crows.” – American duck, goose & brant shooting by William Bruette (Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1934), p. 239, from the chapter “The vermin question.” “If you want a bird paradise, it is necessary to keep bird enemies controlled. Murderers cannot be allowed … Just imagine, if all the murderers in Chicago are hanged, how real estate values in that city would soar!” – p. 244. Best to all. – Harry Armistead, Philadelphia. _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/ Subject: Slightly OT: Ho Co Bird Abuse article From: Frank Marenghi <frank_marenghi AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 10:49:37 -0500 No sighting to report but thought folks might be interested in this article I found this moring. http://www.explorehoward.com/news/69070/animal-abuse-our-community-cannot-be-allowed-continue/ Cheers, Frank Marenghi, Annapolis _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/ Subject: Re: Long-tailed Duck - DC From: Thomas Jones <taj.mo AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 10:47:25 -0500 The long-tailed duck was still present this morning about 10 a.m. and there was a horned grebe just north of the 14th street bridge and very close to shore. Tom Jones Washington, d.c. Subject: Late news: Snowy Owl NW DC Wednesday 3rd Feb From: "ALLPORT, Gary" <gallport AT AUDUBON.ORG> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 09:54:40 -0500 Dear All I just saw a non-birder friend this morning who gave a me a perfect description of a large all-white owl he saw on Wednesday morning at 7.30am flying over at 35th Street and Porter Street NW DC (Cleveland Park). It was low, about twice the height of the telegraph poles, and gliding though not losing height and heading north. I chastised him, as much one can to do a non-birder friend, for not calling me immediately. His description was perfect. He saw the facial disk and described the shape and pure brilliant white underparts. I would even go as far to say that it probably a male as he was sure it was unbarred underneath. So, one wonders if it is not last year's bird? And if so then I am not sure if folk recall but that bird ended up in Cleveland Park on the playground of Sidwell School. I am not sure that I will be able to get out locally to look for an all-white-bird-in-a-snow-storm tomorrow but would suggest that watchers in the 'hood look out for crows mobbing something as that was the dead giveaway when hunting down that bird last Feb. Good luck all! Gary Allport Gallport at Audubon dot org Subject: Kent County Mid-Winter Count postponed to 14 Feb From: Nancy Martin <borealdee AT BAYBROADBAND.NET> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 09:51:42 -0500 Hi All, The forecast clearly is against us. We will postpone the Mid-Winter Count for Kent County for a week and hope for better weather. Bring along your Valentine and count some birds in Kent County next Sunday. Please give us a call or send us an e-mail to let us know you wish to count and where you might consider counting. Good Snowy Birding, Walter Ellison & Nancy Martin 23460 Clarissa Rd Chestertown, MD 21620 phone: 410-778-9568 e-mail: rossgull(AT)baybroadband.net Observing Nature is like unwrapping a big pile of presents every time you take a walk. Subject: New yard bird (well, sort of) From: Rick Sussman <warblerick AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 09:08:05 -0500 Morning all, I took the dog for a walk around the yard this morning, since much of the last snow has melted, figuring it might be some time before we can do this again. Anyway, I was at the back fence checking out the dead trees and holes for roosting owls, as I do this time of year. In one hole I saw something feathery or furry, couldn't really tell from the distance with just bins, so I eventually made my way back home, dropped off Peanut, and took my scope out to the fence. My thinking was that it would probably be a squirrel, but after setting up my scope and staring at it for some time, it turned out to be a gray phase E. Screech Owl! My first ever gray phase (up till now I have only ever seen red phase owls (in the wild)! It had its eyes shut ight but I could see its "ears" sticking up. I will continue to monitor this hole now that I know about it. Not a new yard bird, but now I can take it off my "heard only" list. I also saw what I think may have been another Merlin, just as I stepped around the corner of the backyard. It was perched high in a neighbors tree next door, and I got only brief binocular views of it before it turned and flew off in the opposite direction. As I was looking at it I thought sure I saw a facial mask, but as I continued to look it took off. By its flight style, I think that's what it was. My daughter Alli, who works at Patuxent, is at BWI awaiting a flight to beautiful, warm and sunny San Diego for the AOU conference! Lucky her!! I am SO jealous! Fill those feeders! Rick Sussman Woodbine, MD Subject: new predator at bird feeder From: Patricia Valdata <pvaldata AT ZOOMINTERNET.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 18:05:37 -0500 Well, I've had chickens, a pheasant, and a skunk visit bird feeders in the past, but today was the first time a red fox stopped by. It tried to pounce on a junco but didn't succeed, and then decided to sample the bird seed. It must have been tasty enough, because the fox ate seed for about five minutes. It then went over to the suet feeder and picked up some fat calories there (I had just refilled it today, spilling a few flakes on the ground.) Just before the light faded, I watched it move deeper into the woods, where it either found or killed a squirrel-a tree trunk prevented me from seeing the details. But the fox was eagerly crunching away on the squirrel last time I looked. Altogether, a pretty balanced meal for it this evening! Unfortunately, its timing wasn't the best-all the birds that swooped in for their dinner ended up rethinking that plan when they saw the fox. Pat Valdata Elkton, MD Subject: Re: Cecil Saturday field trip canceled From: Edward Boyd <edboyd1959 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:54:42 -0800 Chickens. Where's your sense of adventure?  Edward Boyd Westminster, MD ________________________________ From: Patricia Valdata To: MDOSPREY AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM Sent: Thu, February 4, 2010 3:23:45 PM Subject: [MDOSPREY] Cecil Saturday field trip canceled From trip leader Richard Donham (apologies to those who get this message more than once): I am cancelling the Cecil Bird Club bird walk scheduled for Saturday morning, Feb 6, due to weather. The forecast is for snow and more snow, so it seems prudent to put out this message.. People should stay home and concentrate on keeping their feeders filled, it seems to me. Ken Drier & Lisa Wilson and I walked around Fair Hill this morning--a gorgeous, crisp day, good birds, good company. Most interesting birds were two gray catbirds, but there were a lot of others--sapsuckers, hairy woodpecker, towhees, yellow-rumped warbler, etc.  Subject: Long-tailed Duck - DC From: Steve Hersey <sherseydc AT MAC.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 15:57:28 -0500 The Long-tailed Duck is still present just south of the railroad bridge next to the 14th Street bridge. Steve Hersey Washington, DC Sent from my iPhone Subject: Red-throated Loon - DC From: Steve Hersey <sherseydc AT MAC.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 15:43:42 -0500 Hi folks, I'm currently looking at a Red-throated Loon in the Potomac between Memorial Bridge and 14th Street Bridge. Not too far out - nice views of him diving frequently. Cheers, Steve Hersey Washington, DC Sent from my iPhone Subject: RS: AK, BV, BE, NO LBJ From: Patricia Valdata <pvaldata AT ZOOMINTERNET.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 15:40:33 -0500 While running pre-snowstorm errands today, I saw an American Kestrel perched on the power lines along Route 273 near Blue Ball Road, and two Black Vultures flying over Calvert. I saw three more Black Vultures on the Tome Highway just south of 273. On Wilson Road I saw an immature Bald Eagle in a thermal with a Turkey Vulture (the eagle had lots of white on the underside but only a narrow dark band on the tail-is that a 3rd year bird?). I was hoping to see flocks of blackbirds, or maybe some LBJs that might turn into something good, like White-crowned Sparrows, but there were very few birds at all. Not even a flock of Canada Geese. I did see some Ring-billed Gulls heading inland, which usually means bad weather coming. Here at the feeder, two Carolina Wrens are stuffing themselves. A few years ago we wouldn't have had any wrens during a cold and snowy winter. Pat Valdata Elkton, MD Subject: Cecil Saturday field trip canceled From: Patricia Valdata <pvaldata AT ZOOMINTERNET.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 15:23:45 -0500 From trip leader Richard Donham (apologies to those who get this message more than once): I am cancelling the Cecil Bird Club bird walk scheduled for Saturday morning, Feb 6, due to weather. The forecast is for snow and more snow, so it seems prudent to put out this message.. People should stay home and concentrate on keeping their feeders filled, it seems to me. Ken Drier & Lisa Wilson and I walked around Fair Hill this morning--a gorgeous, crisp day, good birds, good company. Most interesting birds were two gray catbirds, but there were a lot of others--sapsuckers, hairy woodpecker, towhees, yellow-rumped warbler, etc. Subject: Talbot/Caroline/Queen Anne's, 02/03/10 From: Kevin Graff <whitemarlin2001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 11:04:39 -0800 Hi all, Rented a car for the day. 02/03/10 - 1010am-1030am (more birds on caroline side of public landing) Coveys Landing Rd., Cordova, Talbot Co., MD WEATHER: MC, 31-32 degrees, calm Canada Goose - 38 American Black Duck - 8 Mallard - 2 Green-winged Teal - 3 Common Merganser - 42 Turkey Vulture - 4 Blue Jay - 2 American Crow - 9 Horned Lark - 163 Carolina Wren - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 2 European Starling - 6 Savannah Sparrow - 1 Song Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 2 LAPLAND LONGSPUR - 3 (near Lewistown Rd) Northern Cardinal - 2 Red-winged Blackbird - 12 Eastern Meadowlark - 1 SPECIES: 19 INDIVIDUALS: 302 02/03/10 - 1045am-1110am Sparks Rd/Dean Rd/Mason Branch Rd., Ridgely, Caroline Co., MD WEATHER: PC, 35 degrees, NW 4 mph Snow Goose - 164 Canada Goose - 54 Tundra Swan - 17 Black Vulture - 2 Turkey Vulture - 6 American Kestrel - 1 Rock Pigeon - 5 Mourning Dove - 2 Downy Woodpecker - 1 American Crow - 11 Horned Lark - 69 Eastern Bluebird - 2 European Starling - 8 Savannah Sparrow - 1 Song Sparrow - 2 "Slate-colored" Junco - 7 LAPLAND LONGSPUR - 2 Northern Cardinal - 3 Red-winged Blackbird - 51 Common Grackle - 62 SPECIES: 20 INDIVIDUALS: 470 02/03/10 - 1140am-12pm Kibler Rd./Round Top Rd., Chestertown, Queen Anne's Co., MD WEATHER: MC, 35 degrees, NW 8 mph Snow Goose - 62 Canada Goose - 55 Turkey Vulture - 7 Bald Eagle - 2 Red-tailed Hawk - 2 Killdeer - 2 Northern Flicker - 2 NORTHERN SHRIKE - 1 American Crow - 19 Horned Lark - 18 Eastern Bluebird - 6 Northern Mockingbird - 4 European Starling - 7 American Pipit - 2 Song Sparrow - 3 White-throated Sparrow - 7 White-crowned Sparrow - 1 "Slate-colored" Junco - 21 Northern Cardinal - 4 Red-winged Blackbird - 56 SPECIES: 20 INDIVIDUALS: 281 On way home, stopped by Ensor Rd, about 15 min from my place to see if the longspur still there. Unable to relocated but might be still there as there are many larks flying around. Kevin Graff Jarrettsville, MD WhiteMarlin2001 AT yahoo.com Subject: Baltimore & Harford Counties, 1/31-2/1/10 From: Kevin Graff <whitemarlin2001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 10:50:07 -0800 Hi all, 01/30/10 - 915am-930am Schuster Rd., Jarrettsville, Harford Co., MD WEATHER: Overcast, 22 degrees, NNE 8 mph Canada Goose - 5 (frozen pond) Cooper's Hawk - 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK - 1 Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 Mourning Dove - 2 American Crow - 15 Eastern Bluebird - 1 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 5 White-throated Sparrow - 2 Northern Cardinal - 4 Common Grackle - 17 Brown-headed Cowbird - 2 SPECIES: 13 TOTAL BIRDS: 57 01/31/10 - 730am-4pm Kevin Graff's 3 acres yard, Old Federal Hill Rd., Jarrettsville, Harford Co., MD WEATHER: MC/Sunny, 19-28 degrees, WNW 3 mph- WSW 8 mph Canada Goose - 7 Black Vulture - 4 Turkey Vulture - 6 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 Mourning Dove - 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Blue Jay - 2 American Crow - 16 Carolina Chickadee - 4 Tufted Titmouse - 6 White-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Brown Creeper - 1 Carolina Wren - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 4 American Robin - 3 (flyby) Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Song Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 4 "Slate-colored" Junco - 28 Northern Cardinal - 6 Red-winged Blackbird - 3 Common Grackle - 7 House Finch - 8 American Goldfinch - 9 SPECIES: 27 INDIVIDUALS: 135 01/31/10 - 1130am-1205pm Ensor Rd., White Hall, Baltimore Co., MD WEATHER: Sunny, 24-25 degrees, W 11 mph- W 12 mph Turkey Vulture - 3 Red-tailed Hawk - 2 Mourning Dove - 2 Barred Owl - 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Northern Flicker - 1 Blue Jay - 5 American Crow - 25 Horned Lark - 42 Carolina Chickadee - 5 Tufted Titmouse - 9 White-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Carolina Wren - 2 Winter Wren - 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 2 Northern Mockingbird - 2 European Starling - 9 American Pipit - 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2 Eastern Towhee - 3 Field Sparrow - 1 Savannah Sparrow - 5 Fox Sparrow - 2 Song Sparrow - 8 White-throated Sparrow - 80 "Slate-colored" Junco - 16 LAPLAND LONGSPUR - 1 Northern Cardinal - 8 Common Grackle - 15 SPECIES: 31 INDIVIDUALS: 260 02/01/10 - 730am-4pm Kevin Graff's 3 acres yard, Old Federal Hill Rd., Jarrettsville, Harford Co., MD WEATHER: PC/MC, 20-34 degrees, W 5 mph- W 12 mph Canada Goose - 2 Black Vulture - 1 Turkey Vulture - 6 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 Mourning Dove - 5 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Northern Flicker - 1 Blue Jay - 2 American Crow - 8 Carolina Chickadee - 4 Tufted Titmouse - 6 White-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Carolina Wren - 1 Winter Wren - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 3 Northern Mockingbird - 1 European Starling - 9 Song Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 3 "Slate-colored" Junco - 23 Northern Cardinal - 4 Red-winged Blackbird - 3 Common Grackle - 11 Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 House Finch - 7 American Goldfinch - 8 SPECIES: 28 INDIVIDUALS: 118 Kevin Graff Jarrettsville, MD WhiteMarlin2001 AT yahoo.com Subject: Great Blacked-backed Gull From: Joe Hanfman <auk1844 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 16:40:14 +0000 11:20 am The immature Great Black-backed Gull is at Brighton Dam. A hole has open up in the ice near the dam. The gull is on the ice in about the middle. It may have one foot in Montgomery County and the other in Howard County :) Joe Hanfman Columbia, Md Subject: Vesper Sparrows in QA County - 2/1/10 From: Jim Green <jkgbirdman AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 09:50:27 -0500 Hi Everybody: This is an extremely late post and I apologize for that. I thought I had posted this but probably had too many snowflakes on my brain from last w/e. After just reading Wayne Bell's post about having a VESPER SPARROW at his feeder, I realized I had not posted. I spent the majority of the day driving back roads in QA and Caroline Counties (once again striking out on Longspurs). I did find 3 VESPER SPARROWS by the side of the road in Queen Anne County on HACKETT CORNER ROAD around 8:30 AM. Later the same day I went to Tuckahoe St. Pk. and although the lake was frozen there was a significant number of waterfowl in the wetland area behind the lake with some open water. Among the many Canada Geese and Mallards were Wood Ducks (11 -my FOY), Black Ducks (3), A. Coots (6), Green-winged Teal (7) and one N. PINTAIL drake. The waterfowl was quite active and lifting up and flying around (for no apparent reason - did not see any raptors go over) but always relanding in the same general area while I was there. Only the Black Ducks did not fly and were seen in QA County only, all others were in both QA and Caroline Counties at various times. Once again sorry for the late post and thanks to Wayne for his post about the VESPER SPARROW. I did not realize that they were extremely uncommon in the winter on the eastern shore. Fill those feeders up for the weekend; it sounds like we are getting another doozy of a snowstorm. Jim Green Gaithersburg, MD Work in moderation, BIRD IN EXCESS!!! Subject: Catonsville Birds From: Bryan MacKay <mackay AT UMBC.EDU> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 09:25:39 -0500 Hello all, Yesterday, February 3 was a gorgeous day, and although I was outside only for about 10 minutes, there was some notable activity. Walking from house to car, there were at least 3 species singing. Ten am is not exactly a dawn chorus, but it was nice to hear birdsong again. Robins were calling all about the neighborhood: I believe I have heard them calling every day this winter (with the possible exception of days when it was raining or snowing all day). There is something companionable about their calls. Walking from the parking lot in to work at UMBC, a pair of redwings were dueling vocally over territory at the storm water management pond, despite it being frozen over. About a week earlier than last year, according to my notes. A pair of red shouldered hawks were calling to my right. They flew over me, and in the 5 minutes it took me to walk in, completed almost an entire circle around me and the campus, vocallizing the whole time. So I was outside for only a short while, but enjoyed it immensely. The quality of light yesterday was unique: sun behind high clouds, reflecting off snow, giving a lambent quality to the atmosphere. No wind at all. And now a major storm on the way - such is February. Bryan MacKay Catonsville mackay AT umbc.edu Subject: Washington County - 2/3/10 From: Jim Green <jkgbirdman AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 09:05:49 -0500 Hi Everybody: I took a half day off from work and drove up to Washington County with the hopes of looking for Longspurs and possibly Snow Buntings among Horned Lark flocks. I did not have any luck with either species. I found 3 HORNED LARKS by the side of Broadfording Road about 1/2 mile west of Spickler Road. On the corner of Broadfording & Spickler Roads there was one flock of HORNED LARKS - I counted 89 but there was nothing else mixed in with them. These were the only Horned Larks I was able to find. I also found a single SAVANNAH SPARROW further down Spickler Road. I also found 3 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS on Cress Pond Road. Jim Green Gaithersburg, MD Work in moderation, BIRD IN EXCESS!!! Subject: Talbot County -- 2/3/10 From: Jim Brighton <jimbrighton3 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 07:28:54 -0500 Yesterday evening I drove over to Lewistown/Covey's Landing Rds to check out the Horned Lark flock. There were still 3 Lapland Longspurs among the 200 Horned Larks. Also Present although not associating with the lark flock were two American Pipits. At the end of Covey's Landing were 160 Common Mergansers along with 32 Tundra Swans and 8 American Black Ducks. Jim Brighton Easton, MD jimbrighton3 AT gmail.com Subject: Pine Siskin - Pasadena - Bodkin Creek From: blueheron05 <blueheron05 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 21:16:47 -0500 A pine siskin came and tapped at the window in front of my computer yesterday afternoon to let me know they've returned. I've seen only the one so far, and I haven't seen it at the feeder where last year we had swarms. Kathy Isaacs Subject: Brent Elementary School Bird Count for Kids From: Alisa Glassman <alisaglassman AT MSN.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 20:18:02 -0500 On Saturday, January 30, Brent Elementary School in SE Washington DC hosted it's first annual New Year's Bird Count for Kids. Despite the surprise snow storm, we had over 60 students from 3 to 10 years old and their parents show up for our bird celebration. Over 30 of those students braved the snow to go out into the field for a CBC-style bird survey. The highlight birds, according to our students, were a Bald Eagle, a flock of white throated sparrows, and an American Crow. The results follow: Kennilworth Aquatic Gardens (1st and 2nd grade, led by Alicia King) Canada Goose 2 Mallard 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Crow 8 Carolina Chicadee 3 America Robin 2 Song Sparrow 2 White-throated sparrow 5 Northern Cardinal 3 House Sparrow 2 Gull sp. 3 U.S. National Arboretum (1st and 2nd grade, led by Dave Wood) Canada Goose 4 Ring-Billed Gull Northern Mockingbird Yellow-Rumped Warbler 2 White-throated Sparrow 7 Northern Cardinal Haines Point (3rd - 5th grade, led by Paul Baicich) Canada Goose 800 Mallard 4 Bald Eagle Ring-Billed Gull 20 Great Black-backed Gull 10 Bonaparte's Gull 35 Dark-eyed Junco 7 Total species: 20 Total individuals: 931 Submitted by Mike Mangiaracina and Alisa Glassman Subject: Eagle love, Scaup infatuation From: Joanne Howl <jovet AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 19:25:33 -0500 With the kids out of school all day due to snow, I stopped by the Mayo/Shoreham area to let them play on the snowy beach. I promised myself I was not going to make this a bird trip, just a kid trip, but while they were fully busy in their snow-adventure, I did take a minute to look at the big raft of ducks on the Bay. It looked like SCAUP and GOLDENEYE, primarily. But with the bins alone, it was really hard to tell. So yeah, I set up my scope ... just for a minute, just to get the ID ... and was glad I did. There were, indeed hundreds of SCAUP, looked like mostly GREATER and some LESSER, although I didn't spend time sorting them out. It was NOT a birding day. There were a small group of COMMON GOLDENEYE. In one area, five or six males were seeking the attention of a lone - and apparently particularly attractive - female. Two males swam alongside each other, neck stretched out in, I guess, a display of masculinity. Meanwhile, another male came near her, pointed his beak to the sky, then pulled his head rapidly backwards, showing his brilliant white chest (and charming flexibility). The first two scurried over and began to display to the female. She swam away, but not too far, leaving the whole group of males to fluff and flex and display. I hadn't see goldeneyes court before - and it was quite fun to watch. And no, I didn't forget the kids (this was NOT a birding day) and put them on the birds to show them the cool display. As I took the scope back for one last look at goldeneye, I saw a large bird fly into the scope's view, just behind just the scaup. I changed focus just in time to see a large female BALD EAGLE land on an empty osprey platform, followed by a male. They sat wing to wing, agitated, the male mouth-open and apparently making calls we couldn't hear. As we watched, the male lept on her back and they bred, right there on the osprey post, right in front of us. They sat together for awhile after that, and, since it was not a birding trip, I put the scope away and took the kids to a better sledding spot. As I was leaving, I noticed the huge raft of ducks rise up and split in several directions - the eagles had gone airborne! But they didn't stop to hunt, they flew off together south across Big Pond and kept flying until they were out of sight. For just a few minutes of birding, it was a great day! As I think about it, I find it VERY interesting that the arrival of the eagles didn't raise a feather on a single duck. The raft sat there. No one flew. The Goldeneyes were displaying without stop. However, after the eagle liason was complete, the first movement of the eagle sent the entire raft scattering. It makes sense the eagles had no interest in eating scaup for supper as they come to the platform, just above and just behind the scaup, as their mind must have been on other things. And it might make sense that afterwards the eagles could be hungry, and ready to hunt. But what gets me is - how would the scaup know? Why would they let two eagles fly down almost on them, without moving? And if they would stand for that, why would they scatter as the eagles left? Do they have some sense that tells them when eagles are distracted by love, and thus safe? Always a new question....birding is so fun. Even on a not-birding day. Joanne Joanne Howl, DVM jovet AT aol.com West River, MD Subject: Re: Big January Finale - XTreme Winter Birding (long) From: Warren Strobel <wstrobel AT MCCLATCHYDC.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 17:11:45 -0500 Ross - to the victor go the spoils! We finished the month at 116, four behind you. We're happy with the total, when you consider the lack of rarities, our jobs -- and the fact that we spent one January weekend out in West Virginia skiing with the boys. Our last day, Sunday, January 31, we were guided by the very able David Yeany out in western Maryland. We added some nice birds in Alleghany County, including American Tree Sparrow, Screech Owl and Raven in the North Branch area of the C&O Canal oustide Cumberland. Then misadventure struck. We decided to stop off at Finzel Swamp on the off-chance we could turn up Ruffed Grouse or something else new. Over-confidently, I drove down the small hill to the Finzel sanctuary parking lot and realized I could not get the new (non-AWD) Ford Escape Hybrid back up. We were trapped for three hours, and getting out involved a comedy of errors that eventually came right when we helped the tow truck driver re-attach his snow plow (which had fallen off the front of the truck), he plowed the road four times, and then pulled us out. We added Black-Capped Chickadee to our list. Given the cost of plowing/towing, it was a $150 BC Chickadee for me. (Note to anyone going to Finzel in snowy conditions: Park at the top of the hill). Garrett County proved extremely non-birdy, but we ended the day in triumph at dusk with a Peregrine Falcon in a tree, near its usual roost atop the Cumberland courthouse. A fun month. The Big January helped us become better birders, got us to new corners of the state, and helped us get to better know some of our fellow Maryland birders. Good birding! Warren & Lisa Strobel Annapolis, MD www.birdcouple.com Subject: Catbird From: Thomas H Beal <THBeal AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 16:27:50 EST Had a Catbird in the backyard this afternoon. Glenn Dale, PG Co, MD Tom Beal Glenn Dale, MD PG Co (just west of Bowie) THBeal AT aol.com Subject: Great Blacked-backed Gull - Brighton Dam From: Joe Hanfman <auk1844 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 20:37:37 +0000 The gull was still present at 2:30 pm. Flew around the reservoir several times and made a weak attempt to catch a Hooded Merganser. 12:30 pm There is a 1st year Great Blacked-backed Gull at Brighton Dam. The only open water is in Montgomery County and that is where the bird is. Also 3 Herring Gulls and about 30 Ring-billed Gulls. Joe Hanfman Columbia, Md Subject: Loch Raven Reservoir, 02/02/10 From: Kevin Graff <whitemarlin2001 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 12:23:00 -0800 Hi all, Fourteenth of the reservoir weekly walk. Next walk will be at Prettyboy Reservoir on Feb 9th at 830am. Check with me by Mon evening for info or directions. 02/02/10 - 830am-1150am Loch Raven Reservoir "Loch Raven Skeet & Trap Club" Dulaney Valley Rd., E of Stone Hill Rd., Phoenix, Baltimore Co., MD WEATHER: Overcast, 28-33 degrees, ENE 5 mph- ENE 6 mph OBSERVERS: Kevin G, John L, Leslie S, Joe T Canada Goose - 461 (9 flocks to nearby fields)) Ring-necked Duck - 2 Bufflehead - 6 Hooded Merganser - 2 Common Merganser - 26 Black Vulture - 2 Turkey Vulture - 5 Bald Eagle - 1 Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 2 Ring-billed Gull - 6 Great Horned Owl - 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 3 Downy Woodpecker - 8 Hairy Woodpecker - 1 Northern Flicker - 3 Pileated Woodpecker - 1 Blue Jay - 5 American Crow - 10 Fish Crow - 5 Carolina Chickadee - 22 Tufted Titmouse - 15 Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 White-breasted Nuthatch - 6 Brown Creeper - 2 Carolina Wren - 6 Winter Wren - 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 Eastern Bluebird - 5 American Robin - 6 Northern Mockingbird - 3 European Starling - 1 Cedar Waxwing - 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Eastern Towhee - 6 Song Sparrow - 8 White-throated Sparrow - 138 "Slate-colored" Junco - 36 Northern Cardinal - 36 Red-winged Blackbird - 3 SPECIES: 42 INDIVIDUALS: 858 02/02/10 - 12pm-1230pm Loch Raven Reservoir "#1 bridge" Loch Raven Dr., Glen Arm, Baltimore Co., MD WEATHER: Overcast, 33-34 degrees, ENE 6 mph- ENE 5 mph OBSERVERS: Ed Boyd, Kevin Graff Canada Goose - 530 Mute Swan - 2 American Wigeon - 54 Mallard - 185 Redhead - 16 Ring-necked Duck - 515 Bufflehead - 6 Hooded Merganser - 22 Common Merganser - 64 (there were 200 before 8am) Turkey Vulture - 2 Ring-billed Gull - 35 Northern Flicker - 1 (earlier before 8am) American Crow - 6 Carolina Chickadee - 2 (earlier before 8am) Tufted Titmouse - 2 (same) Carolina Wren - 1 American Robin - 38 "Slate-colored Junco - 5 Northern Cardinal - 2 SPECIES: 19 TOTAL BIRDS: 1488 02/02/10 - 1240pm-1255pm Loch Raven Reservoir "Loch Raven Dams" Loch Raven Dr., Carney, Baltimore Co., MD WEATHER: Overcast, 34 degrees, ENE 5 mph OBSERVERS: Ed Boyd, Kevin Graff Canada Goose - 10 (flyover on way out) Mallard - 18 Ring-necked Duck - 60 Bufflehead - 1 Hooded Merganser - 32 Common Merganser - 3 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 Ring-billed Gull - 45 Mourning Dove - 1 (flyby) Downy Woodpecker - 1 American Crow - 3 Northern Mockingbird - 1 Song Sparrow - 1 Northern Cardinal - 1 SPECIES: 14 TOTAL BIRDS: 178 Kevin Graff Jarrettsville, MD WhiteMarlin2001 AT yahoo.com Subject: Great Blacked-backed Gull - Brighton Dam From: Joe Hanfman <auk1844 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 17:33:31 +0000 12:30 pm There is a 1st year Great Blacked-backed Gull at Brighton Dam. The only open water is in Montgomery County and that is where the bird is. Also 3 Herring Gulls and about 30 Ring-billed Gulls. Joe Hanfman Columbia, Md Subject: Lapidum closure From: Lin Just <crazy4wildbirds AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 02:27:03 -0500 Decided to hit Susquehanna State Park today (Tues. Feb 2) especially Lapidum, but when I got to the main entrance of the park, there was a sign concerning closure of the Lapidum parking lot. The sign stated that the parking lot will be closed to on or about April 15, due to construction, unfortunately right around the time for looking for those Little and Black headed gulls! I didn't drive down there to investigate, though. Birdwise, there were several hot spots with pockets of birds. The Rock Run area had the usual suspects, plus a pair of WINTER WRENS, both KINGLETS and BROWN CREEPERS. The river itself had several pairs of COMMON MERGANSERS as well as a COMMON GOLDENEYE. Conowingo Dam was the slowest I've ever seen, with hardly any gulls. At best, I probably had 4 BALD EAGLES, although I didn't stay very long. Hope this next storm will bring interesting birds! I hear there may be a Noreaster coming this weekend! Lin Just crazy4wildbirds AT yahoo.com Colora, Md Subject: Oland Rd Savannah Sparrow/No Lapland Longspur From: diane Ford <dmford455 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 19:30:33 -0800 Hi all,    I tried a second time, to get the Lapland Longspur on my Life List, and it didn't cooperate.(Going to need fellow birders help with this one) I did see several Horned Larks spread out over the fields, and a Savannah Sparrow by the road. One of these days, I'll see one.  Stopped by Black Hill Regional Park to see waterfowl.  Lake is mostly frozen over, except for a couple of open patches. Oland Rd, & Rt. 85 Savannah Sparrow 1 Horned Larks   12-15 Turkey Vulture 2 Mammals: Red Fox 1 Black Hill/ Clarksburg, Md ( Not many Canadas, but plenty of Mallards) Canada Geese 30-40  (one was a weird hybrid) Mallards 30+ Buffleheads  12 Greater Scaup  2 Ruddy Ducks  4-6 Common Mergs  14 Hooded Merganser 12+ American Coots 10 Red tail Hawks 2 Sharp shinned Hawk  1 Common Crows  60+ (in cornfield off 121) Ruby crowned Kinglet 1 Northern Cardinal 2 White thrt Sparrow 4 Song Sparrow 3 D.Ford/ Bethesda, Md Subject: Wicomico & Somerset Counties , 2/2/10 From: Joe Hanfman <auk1844 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 02:11:37 +0000 Jeff Culler and I birded in Wicomico and Somerset Counties today. Probably the best bird was 2 American Tree Sparrows on Pemberton Dr. Savannah Sparrows were numerous along the sides of many roads. We ended the day with 63 species in Wicomico and 52 species in Somerset. Our abridged lists are below: Location:     Barren Creek Pond Tundra Swan     60 Bald Eagle     2 Belted Kingfisher     1 Horned Lark     3 White-crowned Sparrow     1 Location:     Tyaskin Park Canvasback     85 Lesser Scaup     4 Bufflehead     20 Common Goldeneye     5 Red-breasted Merganser     12 Bald Eagle     6 Greater Yellowlegs     1 Brown Thrasher     1 American Pipit     3 Location:     Cedar Hill Marina Bufflehead     20 Common Goldeneye     50 Red-breasted Merganser     10 Red-throated Loon     1 Double-crested Cormorant     5 Bald Eagle     2 Golden-crowned Kinglet     2 Eastern Towhee     2 Chipping Sparrow     2 Field Sparrow     4 Savannah Sparrow     6 White-crowned Sparrow    1 Location:     Roaring Point Canvasback     18 Greater Scaup     80 Lesser Scaup     1 Surf Scoter     6 Bufflehead     40 Common Goldeneye     40 Red-breasted Merganser     18 Ruddy Duck     18 Red-throated Loon     2 Double-crested Cormorant     2 Bald Eagle     3 Northern Harrier     1 Belted Kingfisher     1 Brown-headed Nuthatch     2 Hermit Thrush     1 Gray Catbird     2 Brown Thrasher     1 Eastern Towhee     1 Chipping Sparrow     6 Location:     Muddy Hole Road - completely covered in snow Great Blue Heron     1 Winter Wren     1 Location:     Salisbury--Pemberton Dr American Tree Sparrow     2 Location:     Somerset County Landfill Bald Eagle     1 American Pipit     1 Savannah Sparrow     20 Location:     Fontaine Rd--Somerset County American Kestrel     1 Horned Lark     1 Hermit Thrush     1 Gray Catbird     1 Savannah Sparrow     24 Eastern Meadowlark     9 Location:     Fairmount WMA Tundra Swan     10 Canvasback     40 Surf Scoter     28 Bufflehead     48 Hooded Merganser     30 Red-breasted Merganser     4 Ruddy Duck     6 Common Loon     6 Horned Grebe     1 Great Blue Heron     3 Black-crowned Night-Heron     1 (walking in the snow, Jeff got some nice photos) Northern Harrier     2 Killdeer     3 Greater Yellowlegs     1 Belted Kingfisher     2 Pileated Woodpecker     1 Swamp Sparrow     60 Eastern Meadowlark     1 Boat-tailed Grackle     1   Joe Hanfman Columbia, MD Subject: Neck collared Tundra Swans from Worcester County- details From: Mikey Lutmerding <mlutmerding AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 18:57:58 -0500 Hi all, I just received details about the 2 neck-collared Tundra Swans (thanks BBL!!) that Jim Green, John Hubbell, Bill Hubick, Dan Small and I saw at the Worcester County Landfill on 9 January 2010- The bird with the neck collar "T234" was banded "27 miles NE of Nuiqsut, North Slope Borough, Alaska (Lat: 70.41667, Lon: -149.91667). The bird is a female and was banded on 29 August 2007 as a juvenile. The bird with neck neck collar "TJ2" was banded at Carson Lake, Nevada (Lat: 39.29167, Lon:-118.65833). This was only the third record of a Tundra Swan switching from the Pacific Flyway to the Atlantic Flyway, so this sighting is quite significant (photos of this bird can be seen at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeycerw/4313696052/). The bird is a male and was banded on 21 February 2009 as a bird that hatched in 2007 or earlier. Good Birding! Mikey Lutmerding Croom, MD