Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2000 10:02:09 EDT Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Gail Mackiernan Subject: Frederick Co. 6/25 (plus...) Hi all -- We took our visiting ornithologist out to Frederick County yesterday to try for some field birds. At Lilypons, no luck on the Virginia Rail, heard a Willow Flycatcher. On Lily Pons Road, saw the Loggerhead Shrike at the usual spot but very distant at 60X. There were a couple of Savannah Sparrows singing from the fence at the same place. Across on Oland Road, in the alfalfa on the north side, two Grasshopper Sparrows singing (one seen) plus several Meadowlarks. Then to Cap Stine Road, at the intersection with Manor Woods Rd., two singing male Dickcissels plus a female, as well as at least one Grasshopper Sparrow. Further north, about 1/4 mile south of Renn Rd., in a scrubby field with young soybeans, two singing male Vesper Sparrows (thanks to Danny Bystrak), one giving scope-filling views, as well as a very cooperative Grasshopper Sparrow and lots of singing Horned Larks. The Vesper and Horned Larks were new for Arturo so he was happy! We then ventured into foreign territory south of Maryland to enjoy the nesting Scissor-tailed Flycatchers near Culpeper, Virginia. Spectacular! In the vicinity were more Vesper Sparrows, Blue Grosbeak, Dickcissels and a Loggerhead Shrike reported which couldn't find. We returned via Skyline Drive where it was still hot! but saw several nice birds including Chat out in full view. A full day but very productive. Thanks to all the Ospreyers who have provided help for wanted species. Some we saw (Barred Owl, for example), some we missed (Mississippi Kite, arghh!) but we will keep trying! Cheers, Gail Mackiernan and Bary Cooper ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================