After the light snow on Tuesday night, I went looking for 
“open filed birds” in Frederick Co. in the Lillypons – Adamstown
area.  The roads were mostly clear, with some light snow blowing
off the larger open fields on to the road surface.  The snow was
light, dry, and 3 to 4 inches deep, just right for looking for
the birds.

I covered the area bounded by Buckeystown Road (85) and New
Design Road, including Adamstown Rd, Oland Rd, Greenfield Rd 
and Tuscarora Rd, between 11:15am and 12:30pm on February 7th.

Two large flocks of Horned Larks were found. 

One at the NW corner of Oland Rd. and Buckeystown Rd, was easily
observed from the comfort of the car.  This flock contained more
than 100 Horned Larks, two Savannah Sparrows, and two Lapland
Longspurs.  The Longspurs were difficult to locate because of
the constant motion of the flock, and birds obscured down in
cornrow furrows.  However, a good study of the Longspurs was 
had with the scope at close range, there was no signs of spring 
plumage on these birds.

The second flock was on the west side of New Design Rd, about
.8 miles north of Tuscarora Rd.  I estimated this flock at more
than 200 Horned Larks.  I spent sometime observing this
large flock, but could no other species in the flock.

No Snow Bunting were present.  Snow Bunting should stand out
clearly, when the flocks flew up, but none were observed.

Other species observed in the same area:
Turkey Vulture, Am. Kestrel, Tundra Swans (est. 45),
Blue Jay, Am. Crow, Cardinal, Junco, and Song Sparrow.

David Bridge
Alexandria, VA
Email: