Yes, yes, the birds are singing, spring is springing....grin. But this morning Fran and I had a pleasant winter visitor almost jump onto our state lists. After a quick visit to Sandgates to say hi to the Kelp Gull and to Jane Kostenko, we drove rapidly down Rt. 235 to the Patuxent Naval Air Station where we met Doug Lister (along with his 18-month-old who has a longer state list than I do, I think) who escorted us most graciously onto the Naval Base where we got outstanding close-up looks at the Barrow's Goldeneye schmoozing with a flock of Common Goldeneye in the Patuxent River. What a wonderful bird! To Doug--thanks again for helping us see this gorgeous and totally unexpected addition to our MD lists! After leaving the Naval Air Station we headed down to Point Lookout in search of the reported Greater White-fronted Goose, which we dipped on. We did, however, find a flock of 26 Common Snipe bathing and feeding in field puddles along Camp Brown Road. Turning upriver once again we arrived at Tyler & Jane's place in time for some lunch and more good long looks at the Kelp Gull. I managed to shoot off another two rolls of film on this wonderfully cooperative fellow before we sidled on home. NOW we can start listening to the spring birds...smile! Norm =============== Norm Saunders Colesville, MD osprey@ari.net