Date: Sun, 13 Oct 2002 18:21:29 EDT Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Rick Sussman Subject: Montgomery County BIG SIT Comments: To: voice@audubonnaturalist.org MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi all, Just a short report of Montgomery Countys first Big Sit event. It was held on the "dike" across the parking area from the boat ramp at Black Hill Regional Park. I began about 7 AM, and was joined by others after 10 AM. We "sat" until shortly after 1 PM (though mostly we stood). 45 species were tallied, with highlights being 2 Solitary Sandpipers, a single SPOTTED SANDPIPER, 3-4 Tree Swallows, and nice looks at both Coopers and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Also had Red-shouldered Hawk up close and personal (digi-scope photos, too) and the same with Belted Kingfisher. Lots of Blue Jays flying over all morning. Only a handful of Turkey Vultures, but no Black Vultures, no Red-tailed Hawk, and a few other misses. Nearly missed Northern Cardinal and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, but a last minute surge filled these in on our list. The team (nicknamed The Montgomery County Sitting Ducks well before the sniper attacks began) consisted of myself, Tom Marko, Clive Harris, Cynthia and Tony Meade, and Janet Millenson. The circle was actually quite productive, and with a little tweaking next year, I think we can bring the total species into the mid 50's. Not a bad first effort, though. Thanks to all participants! Rick Sussman Ashton,MD warblerick@aol.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================