Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2001 10:51:48 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: "Kurt R. Schwarz" Subject: Merganserganza in Howard County! A male Red-breasted Merganser reappeared at Centennial Park in Howard County this morning. I have no way of knowing if it's the same bird as was present Sunday. Even more remarkable, a female Common Merganser flew in, and was pursued by the Red-breasted. I had both birds AND a Hooded Merg in view at the same time! Red-breasted was last seen at 0800 by the dam. I think it's going to hang around. I'm not sure the Common Merg lingered. There are Hoodeds all over the lake. Other highlights: Horned Grebe 1 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Wood Duck 3 (on temporary pond on north side near dam. They flushed, took off for parts unknown) L. Scaup female 1(presumably Bonnie's bird from yesterday) Ring-necked Duck 31 Canvasback 1 female Bufflehead 3 Hooded Merg 5+ Am. Coot 18 Cooper's Hawk 1 (imm Seen perched along Rt. 108, flew off). But, the MOST REMARKABLE sighting of the morning was SOAP IN THE DISPENSE=R in the Mens' Room!!!! Rt. 29 to Rt. 108 west. At 2nd traffic light, turn right into park, head for lake, walk around it. About 2.5 miles to the circuit, paved. If time is short, or your legs are, you can adequately view the lake from the south shore alone, and don't have to walk ALL the way around. Facilities available, though the rest rooms at the concession stand are closed and the porta-pot thereat are, um, not fit for human usage. Wilde Lake in Columbia is still hosting two immature Greater Black-backed Gulls (sorry, I haven't mastered aging gulls yet) as well as at least 15 Herrings. Also of interest: Ring-necked Duck 33 (they flew in, could include some from the Centennial group) Canvasback 1 male Hooded Merg 7 Ruddy Duck 10 (mostly males, one's pretty ruddy already!) Lots of Robins and C. Grackles. Rt. 29 to Little Patuxent Parkway west. Turn right at the, I think, 2nd light, Running Brook. Take first left, you can't miss it. Paved trail, no facilities. I don't know the length of the circuit, I only walk the North shore. It IS north, right? Get out there and beat the snow. Tomorrow you can watch feeders! Good Birding! -Kurt Schwarz Howard County white-crown@home.com =================================================== ===================== To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================