While traveling throughout Southern Maryland today (Calvert, St Mary's
and Charles Counties) for work, I counted seven red-tailed hawks
perched much lower than I typically see them.  Perhaps it's the cold?
In any case, they are so much easier to see on days like today because
they are so huge!  It's much easier to stay on the road and admire
them when they are making themselves so visible.

The sad bit of news I have to report is that once on Saturday, and
again today, I saw two RT Hawks on the side of 301.  Both were hit by
cars.  In addition, on the sidewalk in front of my house there was a
robin (one of the thousands that frequent the tree tops around my home
in West Annapolis) that had succumb to the cold last night.  Not the
best way to start one's day.

In other news, maybe someone could help ID a rather large raptor that
seems to reside at the intersection of I-97 and the Baltimore Beltway.
 I've seen this bird many times in my travels and  have noticed a
plain (smooth color) grey belly.  I would stop, but I really don't
want to be mentioned on the traffic reports for causing an accident!

Anyone regularly commute on 97 to and from Baltimore that could help?

All the best,

Dan Haas
West Annapolis, MD