Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 14:06:48 -0500 Reply-To: rrkiddy@hereintown.net Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM> From: Ray Kiddy <rrkiddy@HEREINTOWN.NET> Subject: Allegany Co. Rough-legged Hawks (4++) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi MD, Gwen Brewer reported an amazing 4 Rough-legged Hawks last Saturday 1/29 along the C&O Canal during the Allegany County Mid-winter Count. She had found the birds at the North Branch area of the Canal between miles 176 and 177 in an open field above the former Rouge Lagoon. I visited the area this morning from 9:45 - 10:30 and had great looks at 1 dark phase and 3 light phase RLs. The birds were at various times actively hunting over the field, hovering and also perched in trees along the edges of the field. Also present were several Red-tails and one Kestrel. As I left the area and pulled back onto Rt. 51, I noticed a bird over the field to the left of the highway. I hopped out to find 1 dark phase and 1 light phase RL working the field. This spot is 1/2 - 3/4 mile from the original spot. Just before leaving the original spot, I watched the dark phase RL soaring over the field. Is it possible that it got to the second spot before I did ? It seems unlikely but possible. It is much easier to believe that one of the light phase from the first spot moved to the second. Anyway, there are at least 4 RLs, maybe as many as 6. And if there are that many, is it likely that I saw them all ? Whatever the total, it's an amazing number. The only place that RLs show up in Allegany with any regularity is Dan's Rock / Mountain. Few if any are seen at the fall hawk watch at Town Hill. Directions: From I-68, take exit 43B (Rt. 51, Industrial Blvd.) at Cumberland. Turn right on 51 and follow it S-SE for just over 5 miles. Turn right from 51 at the North Branch area of the C&O Canal. I believe it is PPG Road. It is the first right after passing the large electric cogeneration plant on the right side of 51. Follow PPG Rd. for 1/4 - 1/2 mile then turn left onto River Road. River Rd crosses the Canal then passes the large complex of ponds on the left as the road parallels the Canal. Park along the Canal at the end of River Rd. where the road turns left to several farmhouses. The field is just ahead of you on your left as you walk up the Canal towards Cumberland. The birds could be visible from where you park. See the SE corner of De Lorme 67, B6. Happy trails .... Ray Kiddy Cumberland, MD 301-777-7391 rrkiddy@hereintown.net http://www.hereintown.net/~rrkiddy/Kiddy.htm ========================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ========================================================================= ===========================================================================