First let me say that I really like the GBBC, it is an interesting "project" and  
fun to participate in.  I think it is a wonderful success for getting people 
interested in birdwatching, we can always use more bird-friendly ears and 
eyes out in our communities.

Someone is definitely doing some GBBC checking and correcting.  When I 
checked GBBC a week ago, "Annapolis" had the highest number of species for 
the state, but had a few unlikely claims.  Other locations also appeared to 
report what I suspect are simply classic misidentifications.  After reading the 
items re: this on Osprey today, I looked at GBBC data again, and someone has 
corrected some of the unusual reports from Annapolis' list (lapland longspur, 
pine siskin, etc.) - but not all.  The remaining two that I think are unlikely are 
Golden Eagle (1) and Purple Sandpiper (30).  Annapolis still has the highest 
species tally for a locality (92 -excellent!).

I would think that with as many of the "Osprey" birders out there who are 
flocking to MD's coasts, hills and valleys for their annual state and county 
lists, that an Osprey post would have been made for a Golden Eagle seen in 
Annapolis, or 30(!) Purple Sandpipers.  Are there any reports (on Osprey) of 
Purple Sandpipers anywhere except along the Atlantic coast?  The only other 
GBBC locality they were reported in was Ocean City.

A couple other corrections I noticed were the 96 ravens reported from 22 
localities, with only 4 of these localities from western MD (Frederick and 
west)!  Now there are only 5 localities - with 15 individuals, and only one 
locality is east of Frederick (5 individuals from Baltimore).  Much better.

And last week I saw snow buntings on various reports, with 45 in 
Huntingtown, but that was corrected.  Now they are only on one locality 
state-wide, with total of two individuals.  Which of course makes me wonder 
where are they at!

Cheers-
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD