I reached the well-described location east of Bestpitch, MD at 10:30
today, stayed for 45 minutes, returned around noon for a few minutes, and
was not successful in finding the Ruff, though the habitat looked great for
the bird.  I found six Killdeer on the ground, and two more flew over a bit
later.  At one point a Greater Yellowlegs stopped in, and much of the time a
Great Blue Heron was stalking along in the deeper water.  Overhead there was
a regular procession of Bald Eagles; I heard the crowing of a Ring-necked
Pheasant, and saw a Northern Harrier along the road as I was leaving.
	On my way home, a glance at the mud bar on the Little Blackwater
River near the Blackwater refuge was rewarded by great views of two Wilson's
Snipe amongst more Killdeer and near several hundred gulls.

Les Roslund

Talbot County
Easton MD 21601


-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Stephen J. Davies
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 8:18 PM
To: 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Ruff, Dorchester County, 01-29-2006


Hi birders
 
This morning around 10am, there was a basic-plumaged Ruff  foraging in a 
flooded field along Griffith Neck Road in Dorchester County. The  location
was 
approximately 5.2 miles east of Bestpitch, on the north side  of the road.
The 
bird was loosely associated with a small flock of Killdeer and  was foraging

around a flooded depression some 200 yards from the pavement.  It was still 
present when I left at 11am.  The low light  and stiff breeze made for poor 
digiscoping conditions. I've posted  some of the more passable images at 
_http://www.badboybirding.com/RUFF_01292006.htm_ 
(http://www.badboybirding.com/RUFF_01292006.htm) 
 
Cheers
 
Stephen
 
PS: I'm new to this list, so my apologies if this isn't of interest
 
 
Stephen J.  Davies
Silver Spring,  MD


www.badboybirding.com