Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2002 16:02:40 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: "Kurt R. Schwarz" Subject: Red-headed Woodpecker at MPEA The maturing Red-headed Woodpecker at Howard County's Middle Patuxent Environmental Area was present again this morning at 0830. Thanks to Hans Holbrook for his detailed postings on this bird. It was playing tag with a Blue Jay. The Jay would perch above, looking at the Red-head, which would then fly at the Jay, forcing it to relocate a few feet. This occurred several times. It's not often I've seen another species acting aggressively towards a Blue Jay! It was on the far bank of the Mid Pax between signposts 13 and 14. Note that signpost 13 doesn't actually exist, but it's SUPPOSSED to be at the western/upstream end of the Mid Pax Oxbow. Follow the main trail from the parking area on Trotter Road (which is accessed from Rt. 108 north of Clarksville). Stay on the mainline, don't be fooled by the right branch at post 3. This goes 90 degrees to the right, and takes you past posts 4, 5, and 6, but I never saw those posts nor the features described in the brochure. Nor did I find the return leg to the main trail, and ended up stumbling down a right of way to the river. In any case, if you stay on the main trunk you will hit the river. Follow the trail, which crosses the oxbow, and at the point where it again crosses the oxbow, look for the Red-head. Brochures with a little map are available at the kiosk on Trotter, but use with caution. Kurt Schwarz Howard County white-crown@home.com Note above address becomes invalid on 28 Feb. Don't know what the replacement will be. ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================