Hi All,

I headed up to Frostburg yesterday (3 December 2008) for work, I left here
at about 3:30 so I could spend dawn at New Germany before work.  The birds
were a bit sparse here with a couple of flyover PINE SISKIN'S, numerous
PURPLE FINCHES, AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES and a few RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES.  The
spruce cone crop is amazing though and would definitely be worth checking in
the coming weeks for some of the irruptors from the north.  Leaving New
Germany, I briefly stopped at Finzel Swamp where some of the more notable
birds were AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, PINE SISKINS, and a flock of ~6 EASTERN
BLUEBIRDS.  After work I headed to the Russell Road area in Southeastern
Garrett CO. for dusk and quickly spotted 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS and a NORTHERN
HARRIER flying around the reclaimed strip mine there.

Photos of the Short-eared Owls can be seen at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeycerw/

Good Birding!
Mikey Lutmerding
Lothian, MD