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Subject:

Talbot County GOLDEN EAGLE before the Snow

From:

Les Roslund

Reply-To:

Maryland Birds & Birding

Date:

Sat, 22 Jan 2005 16:28:59 -0500

	This morning, before the snow over here in Talbot County, I went out
to run some errands, and on the way home decided to try one more time for a
glimpse of the Barnacle Goose at Pickering Creek. Not a goose anywhere to be
seen, but a big dark bird was perched in fairly upright posture in the first
Sycamore on the right side of the Pickering Creek Driveway. Expecting a
Turkey Vulture, my binocs view easily picked up lovely golden tinges on the
back of the head and the nape of the neck.  White on the tail above the dark
tail band could also be seen.  Soon it flew, revealing the tail totally and
also showing the 'view from above' of white patches properly placed on each
wing.  The bird dropped down onto the Wetland Ponds.  I crept down that way
with the truck, hoping for another good view - but the bird would have none
of that, and flew up and away.  It proceeded across the field to the west
and perched in a tree on the far side of the field.  Before I could put a
scope onto it, three Crows made an attack, and the Young GOLDEN EAGLE
decided to move onward.  

	Yesterday at Leeds Creek there were still nearly 3000 Canada Geese
on the ice near a small open water spot, along with 137 Mallards (who did
the main work in keeping the water open) and a single GREATER WHITE-FRONTED
GOOSE (that seemed to do nothing but sleep for the entire day).  Today the
water spot is even smaller, with the same number of Mallards, but the Canada
Goose flock is down to about 700, and I have not yet located the White-front
(if it is there).