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Subject:

Two species of eagles, but no Shrike

From:

Fred Shaffer

Reply-To:

Maryland Birds & Birding

Date:

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 16:40:47 -0500

I visited Pickering Creek this afternoon in search of the Northern Shrike
reported last week.  I bumped into Bill Hubick, who had been searching in
the morning, and Dave Powell.  However, we were unable to turn up the bird
in the hedgerows along the entrance road, or other possible perches.  I was
there for about 3 hours this afternoon.

However, some other interesting birds were present.  Over the parking area,
I spotted a 1st year Golden Eagle soaring overhead.  Clearly present was
the white in the wings and at the base of the tail. A Red-tailed Hawk tried
to chase it off, calling loudly.  The eagle dwarfed the hawk, and didn't
seem too disturbed by it.

Also seen was an adult Bald Eagle, a Cooper's Hawk, and a Kestrel flying
over the fields.  At one point, the Red-tailed Hawk went into a stoop and
practically landed on the back of a soaring Turkey Vulture, apparently
wanting this bird out of its territory as well.  Bill also saw an immature
Bald Eagle.  A few Tree Swallows hunted over the ponds.

A pretty Savannah Sparrow was near the pond overlook, and numerous Pintails
and Green-winged Teal were in the ponds.  The hedgerows contained numerous
Song and White-throated Sparrows, as well as several Mockingbirds, but we
could not locate the Shrike.  However, we did get good views of a Rusty
Blackbirds low in a tree near the buildings/parking area.  It was a
beautiful afternoon to be out, and Pickering Creek is a wonderful spot.

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS