Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 12:53:12 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Kurt Schwarz Subject: C. Goldeneye in HowCo Four intrepid HowCo birders were undeterred by the rain and rewarded with 44 species this morning, 1 January 2003. The highlight was a Common Goldeneye female present between 0800 and 0900 on Centennial. Also unusual for Centennial was a female Common Merganser. Other waterfowl were Canada Goose, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, and Ruddy Duck. The four Canvasback present on Sunday had moved to Wilde Lake. Wilde Lake also had a few Ring-necks. Lake Elkhorn hosted a lone Coot, and a female Ring-neck, both of which had been present for at least a week. A first year (we think) Herring Gull was among the Ring-bills. The ForeBay Pond area of Elkhorn had a male Wood Duck, which has also been there for a week or so. Plus, a Winter Wren was spotted. Brighton Dam was devoid of Common Mergs, except a single female that flew by. The only other waterfowl present were a pair of Black Ducks. There were a few Herring Gulls and a single Greater Black-backed. Otherwise, the 44 species comprised the usual suspects. Big misses were Bufflehead and raptors of any description. The only woodpeckers missed were Red-headed (not likely at this time in HowCo) and Pixilated. Now it's time to put our feet up and dry out. Happy New Year to all! Kurt Schwarz Howard County goawaybird@comcast.net ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================