Hi all, 
 Since I spent the day yesterday working indoors, I spent this morning  
birding "the Mash". Rather quiet early, as both ponds are frozen and hence no  
waterfowl. Sparrows of note were 2 American Tree Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Swamp  
Sparrows, lots of White-throats and Songs. Red-tailed Hawk and a pair of  
Red-shouldered Hawks were seen, as was a single Sharp-shinned. But the highlight  of 
the morning came just before 11 Am when a flyover GREAT EGRET came across the 
 park, high and heading east to west, then over the landfill and away. I 
watched  it the entire time, for perhaps 3-4 minutes as it went over. Without 
checking my  AVISYS records, I think this may be my only December record for GREG 
for  Montgomery County.
 Lots of good closeups of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped  Warblers, a 
pair of sapsuckers, and a pair of Purple Finches too, along with  Bluebirds, 
tons of juncos, nuthatchs, etc.
 A very pretty morning to be out.

Also had a Winter Wren here at our pond this morning, and a Brown  Creeper 
here just a while ago, on the willows by the pond.
 
 
Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD