Hi Folks,

Bill Hubick and I drove around the Eastern Shore in the rain this morning (8
Jan), without finding anything exceptional, but still saw a lot of birds.
Most noteworthy were:

    Kent Narrows, QA Co.:
Long-tailed Duck--1
Common Goldeneye--ca 30
Common Merganser--1

    Rte 309, QA Co.:
Cackling Goose, in small flock of about 30 Canada Geese; it was noticeably
paler than the Canadas

    Sewerage Ponds behind the strip mall with Rose's, east end of Denton on
Hwy 404, Caroline Co.:
Am. Wigeon--pair
BUFFLEHEAD--1 drake (a very uncommon bird in Caroline Co.)
Ruddy Duck--about half dozen

    Martinak State Park, Caroline Co.
Am. Black Duck--1
Common Merganser--2 drakes
Brown Creeper

    Rt 16, just south of Rt 404, Caroline Co.:
E. Phoebe--1 in a plowed field that had scores of flickers, House Finches,
and bluebirds, instead of Horned Larks, meadowlarks, and pipits--where did
all the latter go?

    Hurlock WWTP, Dorchester Co.:
Lesser Scaup--8 or 10
Ring-necked Duck--a few
Ruddy Duck--100s

    While returning home through Kent Narrows, we sighted a large buteo
hovering over a marshy area next to US 50.  This prompted us to take the
next exit, and return to where the bird was seen, feeling sure we had a
Rough-leg.  After a fashion, the bird was seen once again hovering.  It was
a large, dark bird that turned out to be a Red-tailed Hawk.  Neither of us
had ever seen such behavior in a Red-tail.

    Best to all,

Stan Arnold
Glen Burnie