Many years ago after voting I started a tradition of going hawkwatching
at Town Hill in Allegany County with the late Jim Paulus on Election Day.
Jim loved to see the Golden Eagles that passed there late in the season and
we shared a few on some frigid November days. He was excited when he
reached his 100th Golden Eagle of his hawkwatching career and a few years
later his 200th as the big birds became more common. Today I returned to
the Town Hill Overlook to continue the tradition. I had hardly stepped out
of the car when I saw at my feet the shadow of a large bird pass by. I
looked up to see an adult Golden Eagle soaring overhead. Despite that
auspicious beginning it was a poor hawk flight today but I'm embarrassed to
say that Golden Eagle was the most numerous species at 6, with 5 Red-tailed
Hawks and a Harrier. The wind was easterly and the birds were all on that
side of the ridge. As usual here I was accompanied constantly by swirling
flocks of Cedar Waxwings.
Across the road at the old hotel the spruces were loaded with cones and
I had hopes of seeing something exciting on that front also. After a few
hours of frequent checking I finally spotted a flock of at least 7
White-winged Crossbills, stunning in the bright sunshine as they worked
over the cones. There were few other migrants with one Purple Finch and a
Red-breasted Nuthatch the most notable.
--
Bob Ringler
Eldersburg MD
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