Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2003 09:46:19 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Chris Starling Subject: Cecil "winter filed birds" -Denied greetings: Upon getting off work on Tuesday morning I headed out in search of wintering filed birds. i was trying to take advantage of the snow covered fileds in hopes that I would spy Pipts, Longspurs, Horned Larks, or Buntings. I was 'disappointingly' denied all those species. However, I did find a few unexpected birds. I started with a cross-counrty ski trip throught the Perryville Town Park for waterfowl. Nothing unuaual to report on there (Canvasbacks, Ring- neckeds, Buffs, C. mergs etc.) Next I went to Havre de Grace to say hi to my wife, Crystal, While there I stopped by the Tydings Park area. There I was surprised to see a good number of Red-breasted Mergs. Also there, while scanning the gulls, I was greeted by a beautiful mature male Northern Harrier scanning a the beach (also a surprise). Next I was off to NE to change clothes and quickly scan the town park for the Pelican (which saddly seems to have perished in the reacent cold weather). while at the park i chanced upon a small flock of American Tree Sparrows. The rest of my day consisted of driving throught the rolling farm land of Calvert, Zion, Rising Sun, and Fair Hill. nothing really to note except some VERY LARGE blackbird flocks (grakckles, cowbirds, etc). There were also about 12 Red- tailed Hawks seen and Filed Saprrow. Good Birding Chris Starling North East, MD ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================