Howard Youth wrote about seeing White-winged Crossbills at Pine Knob Road on Jan. 11. Howard, I was there with my mother-in-law, the other birders without a scope! (Had I realized these birds are so cooperative, I would have brought my scope - a hint to others who go to look for these birds.) I assume you were one of the party of three who found the crossbills in the bare trees as you were leaving. Thanks again for that discovery! When we left, we decided to give Deer Park Rd. one last desperate try. Aside from a large flock of siskins we saw as we walked along the right-of-way, the place was pretty much dead. Then, as we got back to our car, another couple of birders who had headed up to the road before us waved frantically to us. They had just found three very cooperative Red Crossbills feeding in the top of a pine at the edge of the road - one male and two females. I'm new to this list - I've been a Maryland birder since 1969, but my birding has taken a back seat to parenting for the last several years. I get out a few times a year, though, this past Sunday being one example. My thanks to those who found these birds, and to those on this list who have been providing such good updates. The White-wings were lifers for me! Tom Stock Silver Spring