Hi all --

Aussie friend (and former Montgomery Bird Club member) Greg Anderson is visiting this area from Dec. 2 through 9 and will fortunately have some time to go birding! He sent me a "want list" of species -- below -- few of these have been posted so far on Osprey but if folks would keep this list in mind and perhaps, post or email me off-line. Also, if anyone has some time to go birding with Greg, let me know. We have prior commitments on some of the days he will be here.

Greg's "wish list" -- he is aware that some are very unlikely but...

Ross's Goose (maybe on the eastern shore or Delmarva)
Eurasian Wigeon (maybe on the eastern shore or Delmarva)
King Eider (possible Ocean City, Indian River Inlet)
Northern Goshawk (maybe in the mountains if someone has a site)
Little Gull (possible in Wintering flocks of gulls)
Black-headed Gull (possible in Wintering flocks of gulls)
Yellow-legged Gull (possible in Wintering flocks of gulls)
Thayer's Gull (unlikely, but possible in Wintering flocks of gulls)
Glaucous Gull (possible in Wintering flocks of gulls)
Ross's Gull (if one turns up I won't be the only one looking for it!)
Dovekie (highly unlikely but always a chance on the coast)
Thick-billed Murre (highly unlikely but always a chance on the coast)
Atlantic Puffin (highly unlikely but always a chance on the coast)
Snowy Owl (a chance it there is an irruption)
Long-eared Owl (seen in flight in 2003 but I would like one perched)
Northern Shrike (one or two might turn up in the region)
Sedge Wren (too late?)
Bohemian Waxwing (highly unlikely)
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Wintering on the coast?)
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Wintering on the coast?)
Seaside Sparrow (a few probably stay around in Winter. I
Red Crossbill (a possibility, particularly if it is a good winter finch
year)
White-winged Crossbill (a possibility, particularly if it is a good
winter finch year)
Common Redpoll (a possibility, particularly if it is a good winter finch
year)

I am also checking listservs in neighboring states but if anyone there who reads MDosprey has some sites for these birds, please email me.

Thanks,
Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD