Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 19:35:55 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Norm Saunders Subject: Blackbirds in Worcester This morning about 10 am Fran and I were riding south on Rt. 113, south of Berlin and heading toward Snow Hill. Fran noticed a large flock of blackbirds off to our right and we began to follow it by turning west onto Five Mile Branch. As we began to get closer to the birds we noticed a steady stream of birds coming in from the south, settling into roadside fields, then rising in swirling clouds again. The flock appeared to be slowly moving west and we continued to follow it until it settled into fields along both sides of teh road about 0.7 miles west of Rt. 113. Our initial estimate was that there were least 100,000 birds there but over the hour or so we watched the flock feeding, there was a constant and steady stream of newcomers flying in to join the existing flock. By the time we left the area we estimated we were looking at possibly as many as a quarter-million birds. The vast majority of the flock were COMMON GRACKLES, along with thousands of BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, thousands of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, a few dozen or so RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, at least 2 BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS, and a lone sub- adult YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (our third for Worcester County). The sight of this flock was awe-inspiring and I hope they maintain their presence long enough for someone else to find them and enjoy the sight! As noted, the birds were first seen at about 10 am moving north along the west side of Rt. 113. They settled into fields 0.7 miles west of Rt. 113 on Five Mile Branch, which is just 0.4 miles north of Central Site Lane, the Worcester County landfill entrance road. Look for the sign "D. A. M. Z.'s Haven." The fields around and acriss the road from this house were where we saw the birds. Along the periphery of the flock we also saw many EASTERN MEADOWLARKS, and a few distant HORNED LARKS. Best, Norm & Fran Saunders ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================