Took a hike at Flag Ponds, finding none of my "targets"  (no pine warblers trilling; no wood ducks squealing).  However, there was a flock of 30 BONAPARTE'S GULLS wheeling off the shore, while a few SANDERLINGSs and killdeer worked the point, staying away from the lone fossil hunter.  
   
  A few black duck, gadwall and one wigeon were feeding with a mute swan on Duncan's Pond.  One winter wren pip-pipped from the swamp, and a flock of robins were accompanied by a lone hermit thrush.  
   
  Decided to head for the river for another "target"--osprey.  On the way to Hallowiiing Point, I saw a few Tundra swan feeding with some Canada geese on a field.  There was lots of wind, scaup tossing on the waves, while coots played closer to the shore.  Crossed the bridge--more tundra swans in the fields north of the turn to Benedict.  A lone SHARPIE circled in the winds.  No osprey. One cormorant. 
   
  I headed north to Lower Marlboro, where the river seemed empty, so I took the back roads to Prince Frederick.  Saw a COOPER'S HAWK by the field at Smokey Road.  
   
  Took Stoakley Road west-- at the stop sign turned rightish onto Leitches' wharf road, where there is a patch of damp marshyy stream, but no snipe today.  A few hundred yards beyond the marshy bit is a small pond where a lesser scaup was hanging out with the mallards, and 3 HOODED MERGANSERS were closer to the shore.
   
  At the end of Leitches' Wharf there is a right turn which deadends (once Gods Grace plantation) There is a view of two large stantions where the power lines cross the Patuxent--there were no osprey on them. 
   
  Back at the turn onto Leitches' wharf I took a right on Barstow Road, where I found my only American Kestrel of the day.  Turned right to the river and had a good look from the end of Buena Vista Rd, but no osprey... However, a really good mixed flock of blackbirds gave me my first Brown Cowbird of the year.  There are exponentially  fewer farm fields every year...
   
  Headed home, and when I checked out the old bald eagle nest, there was an adult in the tree above the nest.  Good sign, I hope!
   
  sue hamilton,  Port Republic

 
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