Date: Sun, 22 Dec 2002 08:39:44 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Paul Woodward Subject: Sycamore Landing Area 12-21-02 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Made my first towpath count(Sycamore Landing to Tenfoot Island) this morning. One of those days which didn't seem too productive when I was counting, but ended with decent results-36 species. Highlight for me was the 18 Golden-crowned Kinglets-at least twice as high as normal and most since the winter of 1993-94. The 7 Winter Wrens was also a good count. Cedar Waxwings, Starlings, and robins were also common. High water levels and duck hunters kept waterfowl numbers down. Only species of note was Hooded Merganser (7). Behavior of interest- on the count there were about 100 crows mobbing an adult Red-shouldered Hawk. On the return trip an immature red-shoulder flew in from across the river seeming attracted to the continuing noise. It perched briefly then flew off toward the crows- youthful bravado? BTW- From now through January 4 there is a deer season for muzzleloaders only. Something to be aware of, but shouldn't be a problem. Only a few hunters were here today. Much to my amusement, I saw a herd of 8 deer on the way out. Paul Woodward Fairfax City, VA 22032 grackling@worldnet.att.net ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================