Denise, you deserve some sort of medal for braving northern Minnesota this
week! (It was 53 below there today). Even though I am from Maine and
although we toyed with the idea, I still chickened out! Instead we are going
to Texas next week to try and catch up with some of the goodies there like
Rufous-collared Grosbeak, White-throated Robin, and Blue Mockingbird -- if
they stay around. Even if they don't, it will be warmer than here!

That will, of course, be the perfect time for Great Gray or Boreal to show
up in Maryland...!

Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD

on 01/18/2005 4:06 PM, Denise Ryan at  wrote:

> Not to get off the subject - but I just got back from scratching that Great
> Gray Owl itch in Northern MN.  You don't know real cold until your coffee
> spills out of the cup and freezes before it hits the ground. Good show up
> there.  They were as plentiful as Red-tails along the highway on a good day.
> Saw them in a variety of habitats - in birch woods, in conifers, perched on
> posts in farm fields or pastures, high on utility poles, high up on broken off
> trees, next to houses, in the bogs and tamaracks and along water.  Given the
> cold up there, it was easiest to find them on the sunniest side of any habitat
> sleeping and soaking in the sun.  They are so big, that they stick out if you
> keep your eyes peeled.
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