crossbills!
GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Sun, 15 Feb 98 09:47:53 EST
Hi -- We were up at Pine Knob Road as well on Valentine's Day. We got there
a bit late (about 9:10) to hear that both species had already been seen by
the group of birders standing on the edges of the road. At about 9:15, two
groups of crossbills flew over -- one was definitely Red (by call) -- I
didn't hear or see the other (was half-way down the dirt path) but several
folks said they ID'd it as White-winged.
About 9:40, a small group of Reds flew into a treetop on the east side of
the road and sat up well for scopes -- for a very brief time! -- and then
flew off calling as they were joined about about six other birds. There
were odd flyovers until about 10:10, when a good-sized flock of White-wings
flew over and (to us) seemed to sit down in the trees away from the road. Barry
and I walked down the path and were able to locate the flock, feeding in
pines just over the dirt road, about five minutes later. They were totally
silent but we heard the pitter-patter of cone debris falling to the ground.
We had crippling views of about a dozen birds, including several nice pink
males, until they too flew off about five minutes later, this time calling
freely. We tried to relocate them for a few minutes but were unsuccessful.
When we got back to the road, everyone else was gone and we left soon after.
We drove up to Deer Park Rd and looked around near the powerline cut, but
heard only a few R-B Nuthatches.
Seems Pine Knob Rd. is definitely where the action is!
Cheers,
Gail Mackiernan
gail@umdd.umd.edu