My brother and I birded Overbrook Park and the former landfill site located at 
MD 450 and MD 3 in Bowie yesterday afternoon (3/16).  Despite the wind, 
there were lots of birds around.  Highlights included two Red-breasted 
Nuthatches in the pines near the recycling center and an immature Bald 
Eagle.  In the pines with the nuthatches were three or four Golden-crowned 
Kinglets as well.

At the grassy area at the former landfill, highlights were three Eastern 
Meadowlarks, which we occasionally heard singing.  Also of note was one 
Wilson's Snipe that we flushed up from the grass atop one of the landfill 
mounds, as well as eight Savannah Sparrows.  The Sparrows either flushed up 
from the grass and perched in nearby bushes or small trees, or ran mouse-like 
through the grass.  We also saw two Snipe at the pond between the two 
landfill mounds.  Also at the pond was a group of approximately 15 Rusty 
Blackbirds.  The birds were feeding at the edge of the pond, sometimes 
walking in the shallow water right at the pond's edge.  There were both male 
and female birds in the group.  

Other birds included Blue Jays, a Red Shouldered Hawk, Hermit Thrush, and 
Wood Ducks.

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent MOS