Date: 2/12/13 12:17 pm
From: jflowers <artsnimages...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Mason Dixon this Morning (Southwestern York, PA and Carroll MD)


I started out this morning at the Codorus State Park just south of Hanover and just before sunrise to try and photograph the bachelor flock of wild turkeys along Hoff road. There are a total of about 18 males at different ages. I got setup in my vehicle and about 7:55 am they made their appearance! But I guess they didn't like what they saw (my vehicle) so they stayed near the wood line and proceeded the opposite direction keeping close to cover. I guess I will have to park farther back, clad myself in camo, get out into the cold and hide along their path of travel for any pictures. These birds have been displaying and establishing the pecking order for the past few weeks in this same location. It has been quite a sight to behold.

The Codorus Bird Club has put out a feeder at the Hidden Cove launch along Hoff Road so I visited there for a short while and all of the usual winter residents were busy enjoying breakfast. Carolina/Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Dark-eyed Juncos, Song and White-throated sparrows, Ruby-crowned/Golden-crowned Kinglets, Red-bellied/Downy woodpeckers and Red-breasted nuthatches were the predominate species while a lovely red shouldered Hawk sat across the road in the bare trees and observed the feeding frenzy.
I did not see the 5 Common Loons or the huge flock of Common Mergansers that I had observed on the lake a few days back.

Then it was down through the Hanover watershed and into the Carroll County section. The Red-shouldered Hawk pair were busy near the nest just at the PA/MD line along Kridler's Schoolhouse road. The woods were quiet but I did see one Hermit Thrush along the route. I observed 4 different Red-tailed Hawks along Bandhall Road after exiting Kridler's on the way to the Kowomu Trail which was also quiet except for a Barred Owl and another Red Tail perched in a distant trees. No sign of the Merlin at the bridge.

On to the Union Mills Wetland and there was a nice variety of Hawks to watch. Three more Red-tails and the young Coopers were active. The Eastern Phoebe was still there and catching midges from the sun warmed water near the cattails.

I did check on both of my Long-eared Owls along the way and both were present deep in the cedars enjoying their slumber.

Back home for a lunch and a nap.

Jim

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