Date: 8/12/12 1:00 pm
From: MICHAEL SPEICHER <jugornought...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Re: re DNR NEWS - BROWNSVILLE POND DRAINED - UPDATE


I checked out the Pond this afternoon @2p.m.� The pond is more than 1/2 drained, exposing a mud flat that may be 1/4 acre in size.� There were no shorebirds although there were tracks of what might have been a Great Blue Heron.� The butterflies and other insects are taking advantage of the mud.� I'll have a chance to check it out one morning this week and will report again if that is more promising.� As i mentioned before, i really don't see this being very attractive to shorebirds.� Maybe some other members of the WASH CO BIRD CLUB can comment about more favorable locations in the county as was done recently for Howard/Montgomery counties.��I searched the club webpage, although not extensively, without luck.

BTW the pond is not identified as such on the road signage on MD67, but is referred to as a PICNIC AREA 1/2 MILE.� Access is directly off of MD 67.� I highly recommend that�you put your TURN SIGNAL on as soon as you see this sign.� I've always felt that MD67 is one of the more dangerous roads in the area�combining high speeds�with inappropriate passing zones.

On the homefront, i had a juvey Bald Eagle soaring around this morning.� I was keyed in to it by a few vocals and the large size and flight pattern.

Jim (Michael) Speicher
Broad Run/Burkittsville area
S FRED CO


________________________________
From: MICHAEL SPEICHER <jugornought...>
To: Maryland Birding Birding <mdbirding...>
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 3:44 PM
Subject: re DNR NEWS - BROWNSVILLE POND DRAINED


Mark Hoffman�wrote:
Any drained pond in Washington County might be of interest....
Release says it's 1 acres in size...
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It's several miles south of Gathland State Park just off of RT 67 at the intersection with Brownsville Rd.� It could be described as being on the west slope of S MTN and it's also surrounded by trees on most sides and is appx 5 miles from (N) of the Potomac.� I can't see it attracting many migrating shorebirds, myself, but who knows.� I'll try to get over that way...any word on whether the pond is empty yet?

Jim (Michael) Speicher�

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