It was probably an American Crow. It was seen at the end of Wildlife Drive on refuge land near the abandoned house (where the Golden Eagle had been seen earlier in the day). Its VERY large size made me assume it was a Raven (we had just seen many at Canaan Valley NWR).  I would need a picture to be more certain on this one so I will err on the side of caution.

John


----- Original Message ----
From: "" <>
To: 
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 9:33:34 AM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Blackwater Area, 25 Nov


John,
 
Raven is extremely rare (perhaps unrecorded?) on Maryland's Eastern Shore.  Could you please provide location details so others could be on the lookout when they are in the area?  Also the MD/DCRC would probably like a description.
 
Thanks, 
 
Matt Hafner
Bel Air, MD 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: 
To: 
Sent: Sun, 26 Nov 2006 7:46 AM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Blackwater Area, 25 Nov


Was in the Blackwater area yesterday with my wife.  We got there a little late, 
but I still had an enjoyable day.

Saw the following:

Northern Harrier
Red-tailed hawk
Bald Eagle (many). NB A Golden Eagle was reported earlier in the day but I did 
not see it.
Starling
Ring-billed gull
great blue heron
Jay
Downy WP
Hairy WP
Carolina Chickadee
Brown-headed Nuthatch (4 on the Marsh Edge Trail)
Yellow-Cowned Kinglet (Marsh Edge Trail)
Tufted Titmouse
Winter Wren (my first of the season on the Marsh Edge trail)
American Coot
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler 
Northern Pintail
Red-winged Blackbird
Cattle Egret (1 near Wildlife Drive)
Great Egret
Forster's Tern
Tree Swallow
American Black Duck
Raven
Tundra Swan (4+ on Wildlife Drive)
Common Grackle
Bluebird
Mocking Bird
Double Crested Cormorant
Cardinal

Elliot Boat Launch
Snow Bunting (small flock near the dock)
Dunlin (flock on the dock)
 
Cambridge Fish Pier
Belted Kingfisher
Rock Pigeon
Long-tailed Duck (2 males and 1 female)

Reptiles:
Eastern Red-Bellied Turtle (Blackwater NWR)

Mammals:
Groundhog
* Delmarva Fox Squirrel (Maple Dam Road heading towards Cambridge. It crossed 
the road near my car. Got some great views because my binocs were at the ready).

John Sherwood
Washington, DC



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