I took the day off Monday to look for some of the great birds people have been finding across several counties.
I started at Soldier's Delight where I found a Merlin perched on a dead snag at the low point in the Serpentine Trail. I also had nice views of a few Savannah Sparrows in the grass along the trail.
I enjoyed a large group of White-winged Crossbills in the sweetgums of the marshy area at Fort Smallwood around noon. There were at least a dozen Crossbills including a few very streaky juveniles. Many were foraging low and close to the edge, providing really nice views. I spent a little time looking for the Redpoll without any luck.
No luck at Fort Armistead either - I did not find the Harlequin.
I closed out the day in the Frederick/Carrol County area, ending up at Bull Frog Rd around dusk where I watched three Short-eared Owls (SEOW). At one point close to sunset two of the SEOWs were swooping at one another when a Red-tailed Hawk zoomed in. One of the SEOWs dropped the rodent it was carrying to placate the Red-tailed. It was a good show.
Max Wilson
Kensington, MD
mercretas AT hotmail DOT com
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