For those who might be interested in birding the eastern panhandle of WV
near Hagerstown MD, the Dickcissels that Bob Ringler spotted on
Wednesday were still there on Sunday. My wife and I saw at least four,
one of which was singing his heart out from a wire near the intersection
of Koonztown Road and Tice Road in Berkeley County (about a mile north
of rte. 9). There were also at least 3 horned larks and 2 indigo bunting
in the same area, and I'm 70% confident of a trio of common nighthawks
flying low across the field to the south.

Many thanks to Bob for sending me great directions to this spot!

Jim Boughton
Chevy Chase MD

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Bob Ringler
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 6:14 PM
To: 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Atlasing in WV


  I have been atlasing a block in Washington County on the Potomac River
(Hedgesville NW).  Today I decided to work the West Virginia side of the
river in the block.  Since I was working with maps that had no road
names I had to stop to ask someone how to get into my block.  I stopped
at a construction site to ask the men there.  When I got out of the car
I immediately realized I was surrounded by at least three singing
Dickcissels including one in a small tree next to the house under
construction.  Unfortunately I was not in my block and probably outside
our atlas area altogether (Hedgesville CE) by less than a mile.
   Later while in my block I spotted a large nest on a powerline tower.
It was an Osprey nest with at least two large young in it.  The site is
about a half mile south of the Potomac River and is probably responsible
for Osprey sightings between Fort Frederick and McCoys Ferry on the
Maryland side.
   Always something interesting out there.

Bob Ringler
Eldersburg MD