Hi all,
 Nancy and I went looking for the Lapwing this afternoon, and while  not 
finding it (though someone did stop in their vehicle and mention that it had  been 
seen this morning at a pond on Blacksmill Rd) I did see an interesting  bird. 
 Feeding in the weedy field on Graceham Rd. with 5 Killdeer, was  a very 
early PECTORAL SANDPIPER. It was rather far back and actively feeding in  a 
muddy/wet spot in the field, right of the fenceline and sort of directly back  from 
the large snow-melt pools near the driveway with the no-parking  cones.
An adult Bald Eagle also flew by beneath a moving flock of Canada Geese,  and 
small numbers of Horned LArks and E. Meadowlarks were seen. 
 
After this we went into the antique store on the corner of Blacksmill Rd.  
where we talked with the owner a bit, and Nancy purchased a jar of the (now  
famous) Creagerstown Apple Butter (based on Patricia Woods recommendation). 
 
Then we headed up to the state north of us, where we were initially  
disappointed with no Short-eared Owls by about 3:30, and as it was so cold and  windy, 
decided to head home. We passed some friends going the other way, and a  cell 
phone conversation with them after their arrival drew us back 15 miles to  
the fields, where the owls were finally displaying nicely. Lots of Red-tailed  
Hawks in the area as well as a single beautiful male N. Harrier. 
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton.MD