Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2000 20:45:37 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: "J.B. Churchill" Subject: Harlequin still present (and my dumb luck) Hi, On my second attempt (today), I managed to see the Harlequin Duck at Black Hill Regional Park. I left there to chase an annual close out (Ring- billed Gull in Frederick County). Boy I'm glad I decided to do that. No gulls at Noland's Ferry, so I decided to ride up New Design Road and check Lillipons. On the way there I saw a group of birdwatchers so I stopped to ask if they had something good in view. THEY DID !!! The gentleman that I spoke to asked me if I had ever seen a SNOWY OWL. I had to admit that "NO I never have". After watching the owl for a few minutes from the car and from Mike Bowen's scope, we were on our way and managed to spot my target "Ring-billed Gulls" along the way. I totally lucked out with the owl. I was on the road by 11 am this morning and would have had no way of knowing about it. Thank goodness there were people standing there watching or I might have missed it entirely. Thanks you guys ! J.B. Churchill jchurchi@wvu.edu Morgantown WV ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================