Decided to take a friend of mine who was visiting from New York to Rocky Gap on Thursday.Our first stop was the aviary to see the birds there. It was very windy and cold so most of those birds were "hunkered" down except for the black vulture. He was "dancing" around trying to get our attention. Then he started to make a "barking" sound. It was only one at a time and very deep sounding. I didn't know that they could do that. 
On the lake there was about 25 Hooded Mergs. and in an inlet to the right of the Lodge there were  17 Am. Coots. They were out on the bank and they reminded me of a bunch of chickens. I guess I have never seen Coots out of water. The were pecking away in the dirt. Also with them were 8 Mallards.
Shirley Ford
Emmitsburg, Md.