Hi All,

The postponed Kent County Bird Club owl prowl took place last Saturday, 9 April. The weather was much improved over the previous weekend - clear skies and a modest chilly onshore breeze. A group of 13 observers gathered at the Lodge for a brief introduction to the expected owls and then we headed out on our search. Several Bald Eagles were active near dusk, and spring peepers, Fowler's toads and leopard frogs were in good voice, but owls were somewhat uncooperative. Near the headquarters-road pond, a roosting Wild Turkey tom repeatedly protested Walter's Great Horned Owl imitation with his own gobbling, much to the delight of the group. Along the Wildlife Trail, an Eastern Screech-Owl responded to the tape with soft whinnys and later flew silently overhead, but it did not perch where we could spot it with our flashlights. We concluded with a stop at the Bogles road corner, where one or more Virginia Rails were willing to proclaim their presence in the marsh. All-in-all, it was a fine early spring evening, with sounds of the night topped off with a bit of star and planet gazing.

Good Birding,

Nancy Martin & Walter Ellison

23460 Clarissa Road
Chestertown, MD 21620
phone: 410-778-9568
e-mail: 

"A person who is looking for something doesn't travel very fast" - E. B. White (in "Stuart Little")

"Are there *ever* enough birds?" - Connie Hagar as quoted by Edwin Way Teale in "Wandering through Winter"