In between looking at Cave Swallows in Worcester and chasing Glaucous Gull  
in Caroline, Mike Burchett, Zach Baer, and I birded Blackwater NWR.  We did  
not do much scoping for waterfowl as we were looking for Golden Eagle and  
blackbirds.  The best bird was the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher between stops 3  and 4 on 
the wildlife drive.  Zach had found this bird on 11/23, but didn't  post cause 
he is a lurker on MDOsprey.  ;)  We had good scope looks at  a 
near-adult/adult Golden Eagle soaring over Key Wallace Drive.  Zach had  another one on 
Greenbriar Rd earlier while Mike and I were wandering  around.  The other 
highlight for us was a red-phase Screech Owl in a Wood  Duck box by stop 8.  Several 
stops looking at blackbird flocks did not  produce any of the hoped for birds.  
 
Matt Hafner
Bel Air, MD