They may call them "Common" Mergansers everywhere else but on the lake
across the road, they only show up maybe once a season. Yesterday was the
day and there were 2 males and a female swimming around. Probably a couple
and a wannabe interloper.

Tonight we had our first Woodies of the season and a pair of Hoodies.

I noticed some sparrows in the brush along the edge of the lake and one of
them was clearly a first year White Crown. That is not a common bird in this
part of Carroll County. Maybe the 3rd or 4th time I've had one within 5
miles of here. Other parts of the county do well with them but this one
lacks their habitat.

From the foreign country on the other side of the Mason-Dixon
(Pencil-slovakia or something like that) I've noticed a good number of the
Common Mergs on the lake at Codorus SP. They have been covering large chunks
of that lake and they get annoyed when an immature Bald Eagle scans the lake
from overhead. He's been fairly regular lately.

Jerry Tarbell
Carroll County