I was moving too fast ... make that Gray, Maine rather than Oregon!!! 
Even better odds for MD!

Thanks to Leslie Starr and Ron Gutberlet for keeping me honest !!!

BTW, the black "T" tail stands out boldly against the white rump and 
outer tail feathers!

Phil


At 21:45 09/19/2008, Phil Davis wrote:
>MD Osprey:
>
>Two data points may not be statistically significant; however, two 
>Northern Wheatears have just been reported in the lower 48 within 
>the past two days ... one in Gray, Oregon and one today at Cape May 
>Point State Park, NJ.
>
>This weekend while you are out birding, check suitable migratory 
>habitat including open areas such as grasslands, agricultural 
>fields, barren hillsides, etc.
>
>Maryland has one accepted record (9/11-13/1990, Hog Island, Caroline 
>County), one that was not accepted, and one that is "unreviewable" 
>(published, but no details were submitted).
>
>Per National Geographic's Complete Birds of North American, "North 
>American-breeding Northern Wheatears are among longest distance 
>migratory passerines in the world."
>
>The black "T" pattern on the tail is very distinctive ...
>
> 
>http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/peterson/resources/identifications/nowh/index.shtml
>
>Phil
>
>====================================
>Phil Davis
>Turnstone Business Development Associates
>2549 Vale Court
>Davidsonville, Maryland  21035  USA
>cell:   (240) 460-5159
>home:   (301) 261-0184
>mailto:[log in to unmask]
>====================================