Hi Everyone,

Saturday was an exciting day in Garrett County. I spent dawn to dusk
checking water areas and potential finch locations in the good company of
Jim Brighton, Hans Holbrook, and Mikey Lutmerding. Highlights were
NORTHERN SHRIKE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (inland subspecies
frontalis/gambelli), BLACK SCOTER, SURF SCOTERs, RED-THROATED LOON,
RED-NECKED GREBE, and BLACK BEAR.

They day started on a strong note as we slowly cruised Russell Road in
southeastern Garrett Co. at dawn. We were on our way to High Rocks for
ridge-following migrants when we spotted a gray bird: "Ugh, stop for a
sec... either a mockingbird or a shrike..." It was a subadult NORTHERN
SHRIKE that allowed great looks and a few documentation photos at fairly
close range. The bird was observed on both sides of the road where the
"Jersey wall" begins (northern end of the wall) on the west side of
Russell Road. The only telephone pole on the west side of the road in this
area is also right here. It's too bad this location isn't checked daily
during rarity season. Mikey's Western Kingbird this year is probably just
one of many vagrants that has spent a day in this fantastic habitat. Also
present were two RED-TAILED HAWKs, two NORTHERN HARRIERs, some flyby
robins and goldfinches, and a flyby HORNED LARK.

High Rocks was a brisk morning walk rewarded by a nice view. At the top,
the stiff, icy, west winds were comfortable as they brought our body
temperatures down to normal. Full list for the 2 mile hike: Slate-colored
Junco (2), American Robin (16), Common Raven (1). Two quick flight calls
were muffled by crunching leaves and pounding heartbeats, but were
suggestive of Common Redpoll. Oh well.

We then headed to New Germany State Park to see what the impressive cone
crops among the spruces and pines had attracted. We spent most of our time
checking the woods around the main pond, where we found plenty of
Black-capped Chickadees, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and a couple Brown
Creepers. The calls of Red Squirrels were an interesting addition to the
mix, and a flock of flyby PINE SISKINs was a nice burst of excitement. We
heard a couple notes of interest from other prospective finches, but not
enough to confirm identities.

While checking areas surrounding the park, Hans suddenly exclaimed "Bear!"
My thoughts were, in this order: 1) Awesome! 2) Oh, I should find out
where it is (is it 10' behind me?). Hans and I watched the large BLACK
BEAR stroll across the road 30 yards in front of us--very, very cool.

Our next stop was Little Meadows, where Mikey found a GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE suggestive of the inland frontalis/gambelli
subspecies. We quickly found the bird and obtained additional
documentation photos of it. The bird's bill is a bubblegum pink that
really jumped out at us, contrasting strongly with the birds bright orange
legs. The belly was not terribly patterned with dark, and we noted a dark
edge surrounding the white patches on either side of the bill. I feel
confident that this bird will be accepted as an Inland ssp. of Greater
White-fronted Goose. Whether it can be keyed out to Tundra (frontalis;
more expected) or Taiga (gambelli) is another story. I'll post photos
soon. Other birds at Little Meadows included a Bufflehead, 12 Ring-necked
Ducks, a hen COMMON MERGANSER, two Pied-billed Grebes, and three
Ring-billed Gulls.

Broadford Lake has been extremely productive this year, and today's visit
did not disappoint. Highlights were BALD EAGLE (my long overdue
close-out), a flyby RED-THROATED LOON (nice spot by Mikey), and a hen
NORTHERN PINTAIL. Other waterfowl included Canada Goose (85), Mallard
(55), Hooded Merganser (36), American Wigeon (20), Gadwell (14), American
Coot (147), and Pied-billed Grebe (10). One HORNED LARK flew by, calling.

We checked Pleasant Valley and Trout Run, but found only expected species.
Trout Run held one each of Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck,
and roadside species included red-tails, kestrel, and a Great Blue Heron.
A farm on Paul Friend Road has treated a large field with fresh manure,
attracting many crows (~600), pigeons, and a flock of Horned Larks. We
watched until our third or fourth pass and review to feel sure there were
no longspurs or buntings among the 45 or so HORNED LARKs. Six KILLDEER
were also present.

We only intended to make a couple quick stops at DEEP CREEK, but the
success of these stops greatly extended our stay on the lake. Most of our
stops were just off Rte. 219, starting from the south and moving north,
including the northwestern sections across from WISP. Highlights here
included the following: 

Canada Goose--40
REDHEAD--1
Greater/Lesser Scaup--5
BLACK SCOTER--1
SURF SCOTER--3
Bufflehead--13
Hooded Merganser--20
Ruddy Duck--11
Common Loon--2
RED-NECKED GREBE--1
DC Cormorant--1 adult
Bald Eagle--2 adults
American Coot--270
Ring-billed Gull--1 adult
Myrtle Warbler--1

We chose Piney Reservoir for our final stop. Here we were surprised to
watch a drake WOOD DUCK fly past us, and enjoyed watching a flock of
twelve RUSTY BLACKBIRDs. Also around were Canada Geese (25), Mallards
(10), Gadwall (3), American Black Duck (1), Bufflehead (1), Red-winged
Blackbirds (2), and a single Common Grackle. Mikey spotted a shrew as it
ran across the road.

It was a very productive and enjoyable day. 

Good birding!

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, MD

http://www.billhubick.com