I would agree with David M. that the Morgan Run LEOW's are almost certainly 
wintering south of their breeding range, and not "setting up shop" in Carroll 
County.  There were Long-eared's found in winter regularly at a Laytonsville 
(Montgomery County) tree farm up until 3-4 years ago, when their roosting 
grove of dense spruce trees and scrub pines was plowed under in favor of 
more cornfields, unfortunately.  As I remember, the owls were usually gone by 
late March.

It is admittedly a dilemma on how best to announce the discovery of these 
beautiful (and scarce) birds, but from what I have heard (or read on 
MDOsprey), I think Bob Ringler has handled the matter exactly right, balancing 
the owls' need for solitude with the birding community's desire to see these 
most uncommon owls.

BTW--I believe that there is a fairly recent report (maybe 1999-2000?) of 
nesting Long-eared's in Garrett County, found by Jim Stasz and Marshall Illiff, I 
believe.  There is a story with black-and-white pictures about this find in one 
of the "Maryland Birdlife" issues, but I don't have the date of that issue at 
hand.

Mark England
Damascus, Md.