MD birders:

Rare Bird Alerts for a number of states not very far to our north are 
reporting sightings of Northern Shrikes.  Illinois, New York, Maine, 
New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island have all reported 
sightings -- in several cases multiple sightings in different 
locations.  And it's quite early in the winter (in fact it's still fall!)

So while we've been warned not to expect lots of winter finches, 
because of good seed crops in the north, perhaps we can hope for a 
Northern Shrike.  I know it's been almost six years since I've seen 
one in Maryland.  We had one here in Montgomery County in January 
2001 and there was another at PAX River NAS in February/March the 
same year, I believe. Maybe there have been others since that I didn't chase.

Mike Bowen
Montgomery Bird Club
Bethesda, MD

D. H. Michael Bowen (Mike)
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda MD 20817-3845
Tel/Fax: (301) 530-5764
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