Date:         Sun, 16 Apr 2000 14:35:16 -0400
Reply-To:     bott@erols.com
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Bonnie Ott <bott@EROLS.COM>
Subject:      Meadowbrook (Ho Co)
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Kurt Schwarz led a field trip into meadowbrook this morning. Between
the normal marshy condition and the rain we enjoyed a morning of wet
birds (nothing better than to ID drenched sparrows!).
        4 COMMON LOONS sailed over very low. A KESTREL was a delight as h=
e
perched for great looks through the scope. Swallows are increasing with
TREES on every box. A PILEATED calling from the distance was new for the
area. There were numerous singing BROWN THRASHERS. A number of SAVANNAHS
were highly co-operative, feeding on the path. A few adult WHITE-CROWNS
were undampened with their racing-stripe heads brilliant through the
showers.
        A KINGFISHER dazzled us with a swoop over our heads as we tallied=
 up in
the parking lot.
        One strange thing happened as I was thrashing below the group thr=
ough
the cattails. I found unopened boxes of "lager-beer", obviously stashed
there by some minor kids for a future party. You would have thought I
had found a new county record as quickly as some of the group moved in
to confirm my sighting. We carted them out of the swamp and hid them in
the grasses. As we ended the trip we returned to pick them up and they
were divided up as "found booty".
        You never know what you find on a Howard County field trip!
        Bonnie Ott

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