I just went outside and it is very foggy this morning. I expect it will be the same at the lake. I still intend to be there at 7 but I wouldn't blame you if you change your plans for today. Visibility will be limited.
--
Bob Ringler
Eldersburg MD


---- Bob Ringler <> wrote: 
>    In reply to several requests here are the directions to the Oakland Road overlook at Liberty Lake. It is on DeLorme 57A5. Route 26 is the main road running east/west across the lake. The first intersecting road on the Carroll County side of the lake is Oakland Mills Road. Take this north about a mile and turn right on Oakland Road. Take this until it ends and park on the left opposite the water treatment plant. In the past I told people to walk up along the fence to the path that leads to the point but there was digging and filling in this area today and the beginning of the path has been obscured. You will have to make your way through the cleared area to pick up the path which goes through the woods, along an old wall, and down to the point. Sunrise is about 6:50 and I plan to be there no later than 7AM. The lake will probably still be in shadow and there is a chance of fog.
> --
> Bob Ringler
> Eldersburg MD
> 
> 
> ---- Bob Ringler <> wrote: 
> >    I visited Liberty Lake very late this afternoon at the Oakland Road overlook. Birds seen:
> > 
> > Canada Goose  16
> > Hooded Merganser  3
> > Common Loon  1
> > Pied-billed Grebe  7
> > RED-NECKED GREBE  1
> > UNCERTAIN GREBES  2, see below
> > DC Cormorant  3
> > Ring-billed Gull  1
> > Kingfisher  1
> > 
> > The two uncertain grebes were seen first at great distance and separately; one far down the lake on the opposite side and one deep in a cove on the Baltimore County side north of the overlook. A boater flushed the first bird and it flew around before landing somewhat closer on the opposite side of the lake. In flight it appeared to be a big grebe with a slightly upturned bill profile and I at first thought it might be the Red-necked Grebe I had seen earlier. Later, as the sun set, it swam past Shag Island and I saw it near a cormorant. It was smaller than the cormorant but not by a great amount. Its plumage was high contrast black and white which ruled out it being the Red-necked. The head was black on top and the cheek was white, separated by a sharp demarcation near the eye. The neck was mostly white with a thin strip of black down the back of the neck. The white of the neck continued to the waterline. The body was dark. The bill appeared yellowish but in the diminishing light I was not sure. By fast swimming and short flights the two birds came together. I watched them swim side by side heading up the lake until it was almost too dark to see. They swam with heads erect and the long neck slanted toward the back.
> >    I concluded they were probably WESTERN GREBES but a better view is desired. I will go out there early tomorrow.
> > --
> > Bob Ringler
> > Eldersburg MD
> >