Hi Folks,

Elaine and I made a short trip to Indianapolis for the holidays, birding on
the way out, and birding on the way back.  Highlights for the trip were
SHORT-EARED OWLs in Garrett Co., the EARED GREBE in Carroll Co., and the
HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER in Balt. Co. as we concluded our trip.  The flycatcher
was seen at 2:40 this afternoon (Sun.) about 50 feet up the little path on
the north side of the ruin (directions on previous posts).  On the right
side of this little path are numerous mountain laurels, and the bird flitted
about the base of these for about ten minutes before disappearing.  A bit
after 3 p.m., the bird was seen again in the same general area, landing in a
tree next to the ruin, and then flying north about 50 feet to the bright
green vine with berries, prominently adorning a tree on the east side of the
NCR trail, apparently a favorite feasting location based on other's posts.
We watched the bird for nearly half an hour, sometimes at a distance of
around 10 feet.  Nearly a dozen birders were present for much of this, those
I recognized being Phil and Barbara Davis, Don Burgraff, and Bill Hubick and
Becky ____, with Bill taking his usual quota of photos.  Other birds in the
area were an OSPREY working the nearby creek, a couple of Brown Creepers,
and many Golden-crowned Kinglets.

Before arriving at the Hammond's Flycatcher location, Elaine and I stopped
at Piney Run Reservoir in Carroll Co., where we met Jim Stasz in the parking
lot.  Jim had been there about 90 minutes, and was able to find the EARED
GREBE, and told us where to look for it.  We found it pretty much where he
found it, on the far side of the reservoir as viewed from the nice deck (by
the bath house) above the floating boat dock.  The birds we saw during our
30 minute visit included:

    Piney Run Res., Carroll Co (27 Nov).:
Snow Goose--1 blue phase
Canada Goose--the usual hundreds
Am. Black Duck--several
Mallard
Canvasback--4; probably lots more
Ring-necked Duck--3 males; probably more
Hooded Merganser--dozens
Ruddy Duck--dozens
Pied-billed Grebe--a dozen or more
Horned Grebe--1
Eared Grebe--1
Bald Eagle--1 adult
B. Kingfisher--1 female

We did not see the female Co. Goldeneye that Jim reported to us.

The remainder of this report is for birds seen early last week, and then
during our trip west, in chronological order.

    Monday, 21 Nov, Lake Elkhorn, Howard Co.:
Mute Swan--1
Ring-necked Duck--12, mostly drakes
Bufflehead--1 female
Ruddy Duck--4
Pied-billed Grebe--1
Am. Coot--1
YB Sapsucker--1
Brown Creeper--1
Fox Sparrow--1
Swamp Sparrow--1 (these last 4 species all along the trail going south from
center of lake to the power line, passing a wet area)

    Tuesday, 22 Nov (very windy), Lake Centennial, Howard Co.:
Am. Wigeon--1 male
N. Pintail--1 male
PB Grebe--1
Gray Catbird--1 (north side)
Fox Sparrow--1 (north side)

    Wed., 23 Nov, Big Pool, Washington Co.--a total disappointment!  Water
level is about 15 feet below normal.  Besides Canada Geese, the only
waterfowl were four Buffleheads!  YB Sapsucker was the only interesting land
bird

    23 Nov, Rocky Gap Res, Allegany Co.:
Ring-necked Duck--1 male
Long-tailed Duck--1 female
Bufflehead--3
Hooded Merganser--10
Ruddy Duck--40
Pied-billed Grebe--1

   behind the above reservoir, at the aviary (with caged raptors):
YB Sapsucker--1
Red-breasted Nuthatch--4
Golden-crowned Kinglet--3

    The Terminus, Cumberland, Allegany Co.:
GB Heron--1
Hooded Merganser--15
Common Loon--1

    23 Nov, Piney Res., Garrett Co.:
Tundra Swan--1 adult
Hooded Merganser--12
Bufflehead--2 females, with the hoodies
Pied-billed Grebe--1

    Sat., 26 Nov, Deep Creek Lake, Garrett Co., viewed from town of McHenry:
Am. Black Duck--2
Mallard--20
Ring-necked Duck--2
Ruddy Duck--200
Am. Coot--150
Pied-billed Grebe--5
Horned Grebe--1

    same day, Mt. Zion Rd. (enroute to Jennings Randolph Res.), Garrett Co.:
Sharp-shinned Hawk--1 flyover
Red-bellied Woodpecker--1
YB Sapsucker--1
Pileated Woodpecker--2
Brown Creeper--1

    Jennings Randolph Res.:
Gadwall--8
Ring-necked Duck--1 male
Hooded Merganser--5
Pied-billed Grebe--1

    same evening, Aaron's Run Rd., Garrett Co., where we rendezvoused with
Jim Stasz:
SHORT-EARED OWL--4

    The Youghegany Reservoir was totally dry, as viewed from Old Morgantown
Rd., the Savage Reservoir appeared to be about 30 feet low, and duckless,
and the Jennings Randolph Res. appeared to be 15-20 feet low.

   Sun., 27 Nov, Piney Res, Garrett Co., now mostly frozen, but about 20%
open:
Canada Goose--40
Tundra Swan--1
Barred Owl--1 sitting on utility wire at entrance as we departed
B. Kingfisher--1

    North Branch & spray fields, Allegany Co., with JB Churchill:
Yellow-rumped Warbler--1 (county closeout for year)
Field Sparrow--1
Savannah Sparrow--2
Song Sparrow--scores
White-throated Sparrow--2
White-crowned Sparrow--dozens

    JB's house, Allegany Co.:
Fox Sparrow--at feeders (thanks JB!)

Another delightful (and long!) weekend of birding.  Now it's time to start
thinking pelagic--can the year get any better?

Stan Arnold
Glen Burnie