Dear folks, I tried casing the Ruff at Easton more than a week ago. I missed it by a day. Well, I got paid back for my vigilence by seeing about a dozen of them several days later, in England. I could study various plumages. It was wonderful. The ruffs (and reeves) lingered among redshanks, common sandpipers, ringed plovers, avocets, lapwings, and others. Unlike Gail's British visitor here in Maryland, I had no birder-host who could take me on numerous bird-excursions. We did get out for a few short walks here and there, and I did manage a trip list of 58 species, including 16 lifers. However, I had to depend on looking for birdswherever we went, even to the point of birding from the car and from the bus to/from the airport. I did get several birds for the list from the bus, including two lifers - jackdaw and sparrowhawk. I got many good looks at collared doves, which may help if one ever shows up in my binoculars over here. Don Burggraf Baltimore _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com