Ken and I were at Centennial Park today and found that they have drawn 
down the lake several feet to allow the construction of a new  dock for 
the canoes. Most of the lake bed in the wildlife management area (west 
end) is exposed, creating huge mudflats. We talked to a park ranger, and 
he said it would be at this level till the end of April, and then will 
slowly fill back up. This should be a great stopping place for migrating 
shorebirds this spring, and there was one there today -- our first 
shorebird of the year. A snipe was foraging in the mud on the north 
side, very close to the bridge where we were standing, giving us a great 
view.

There were also 8 Hooded Mergs, and 4 Ringnecks are still hanging 
around. The pair of Fish Crows are back, and they sat in a tree near the 
boat launching ramp having what sounded like a pleasant conversation 
with each other. We also saw two sparrows that we're fairly sure were 
Savannahs (but not quite 100%).

Sherry
Howard County