I just thought some folks might like to know what all of the local
bird clubs are up to in the next few weeks.  I gathered all of this
information from their individual websites.  If I missed anything,
feel free to amend this email.  Note that some trips cross the state
line!  Sorry about that, just thought they should be included as well.

----------------------------------

MONTGOMERY COUNTY:

November 1 (Saturday) LBJ's at BLUE MASH NATURE TRAIL. Blue Mash is
hoppin' with Little Brown Jobs, making it a good place to work on the
basics of sparrow ID. We'll look for similarities and differences
among the common species, like Song and Field and Chipping, while
keeping an eye out for less-likely White-crowned and Swamp. This trip
is primarily for beginners but all are welcome. Half day. For
reservations, time, and directions, contact LEADER: Lydia Schindler,
301-977-5252 or 

November 9 (Sunday) BLUE MASH NATURE TRAIL. Half day. Interesting walk
at relatively new and surprisingly birdy site near Olney. Meet 7:30
a.m. at Zion Rd parking lot. For reservations and directions call the
leader. The trip is limited to 8-10 participants. LEADER: Ed Patten,
301-948-5648.

HOWARD COUNTY:

Nov. 2 Sunday CENTENNIAL PARK 8:00 a.m. (2-3 hours)
Meet at West parking lot on Centennial Lane. Easy walking on paved
path around Centennial Lake. Woodlands, Fields and water host a wide
variety of species. Great view of the sky for flyovers. Early
waterfowl, lingering migrants likely. Leader - Bonnie Ott.

Nov. 9 Sunday CENTENNIAL PARK 8:00 a.m. (2-3 hours)
See Nov 2 for details. Leader - Jeff Culler.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY:

November 15: Delaware Mystery Tour! Sat. 7:00 AM. A day with Wafi
Gainey birding & eating. Contact: Bobbi Reichwein (410-798-5940)

November 22: Blackwater NWR, Dorchester County. Saturday at 8:00 AM.
Waterfowl and eagles. Leader: Bobby Reichwein (410-798-5940)

BALTIMORE COUNTY:

NOV 5 (Wed) 8:00 a.m. FIRST WEDNESDAYS AT FORT McHENRY Monthly survey
of bird activity at the wetland. Telescope can be useful.
Automatically cancelled in bad weather (rain, sleet, snow, fog, etc.).
*Directions to Fort McHenry. From I-95, take Hanover Street exit 55,
McComas St (last exit before tunnel eastbound, first after tunnel
westbound), north on Key Hwy which turns west, first left Lawrence St,
left onto Fort Ave, continue east to gate into Fort McHenry. From the
JFX, I-83, south to St Paul St exit, south on St Paul becomes Light
St, then left (east) onto Fort Avenue, continue to end as above. Park
in the Visitor Center Parking Lot. Meet outside the Visitor
Center.Leader: Mary Chetelat, (410) 665-0769

NOV 8 (Sat) 8:00 a.m. LOCH RAVEN Waterbirds and land birds. Possible
Bald Eagle, E. Bluebird, Common Loon. Telescopes useful. Two mile
level walk. Leader: Peter Lev, (410) 823-2962 or 
*Directions to Loch Raven. From Baltimore Beltway I-695, take exit 27
Dulaney Valley Road north, go several miles, cross large bridge over
reservoir, and bear right immediately. Continue to first left, Stone
Hill Road. Go about 100 yards, turn around, and then park on your
right. All cars need to park on the same side of the road.

HARFORD COUNTY:

Friday-Sunday, October 31-November 2
Waggoner's Gap Weekend Enjoy Hawk watching during the day and owling
at night. For accommodations and meeting location, contact Dave
WebbDave Webb.

Saturday, November 8
Eden Mill Park - Saw Whet Owl Banding Come see our smallest Eastern
Owl during its peak migration time. Meet at the Mill on Eden Mill Road
at 7 PM. Contact leader Mark Johnson for further information.

CECIL COUNTY:

November 15th: Avalon Sea Watch.  Join us for a car-pool trip to
Avalon, New Jersey (about two hours away).   The shoreside town of
Avalon is on a barrier island, at a point where the shoreline bulges
outward into the Atlantic - and therefore, it is possible to get
fantastic looks at a steady stream of migrating seabirds.  The New
Jersey Audubon Society conduct an annual census of these birds. The
majority of birds seen are loons and seaducks - all three scoters,
mergansers, Long-taileds, maybe an eider or two.  Other possibilities
include jaegers and gannets and maybe a few surprises. The daily count
of birds passing the Sea Watch can reach up to 90,000 at this time of
year - it is one of the true avian spectacles.  This is a great
opportunity to plump up your Life List with seabirds, from the comfort
of land.

This trip involves no walking at all.  Pull your car up to the seawall
at the Sea Watch site and take out your lawn chair, blanket, scope and
hot drink, and settle in for a day of scanning the seas.

Meet near Dunkin Donuts in Big Elk Mall, intersection of Rt 40 and Rt
213 in Elkton at 7 a.m. to car-pool for the full-day trip.   Bring
scope if you have one.  Also bring lawn chair, blanket, hot drinks,
and either a packed lunch or money to purchase lunch at a nearby deli.
 Dress for possible extreme cold and windy conditions.   Also bring
money for tolls and gas.

Trip leader:  Richard Donham 

KENT COUNTY:

November 15 – (SATURDAY) – Field Trip, 7:00 am. Chesapeake Bay
Environmental Center (Horsehead), Kent Island. Varied habitat from
wood-edge to marsh and protected cove provide shelter for birds of
pine woods, waterfowl and other late-season migrants. Bring lunch.

TALBOT COUNTY:

Sunday Morning Walk-Wye Island for Waterfowl, raptors and winter
sparrows. Danny Poet will show us the 275 year old Holly Tree.
Leader: Danny Poet (410-827-8651).  Depart Easton Acme parking lot at
7 AM.  No scheduled breakfast, but will eat out if the group would
like.

Good Birding,

Dan Haas
West Annapolis, MD