Merry Christmas and Happy Birding New Year Everyone, 

 I did a drive thru of Southwest Area Park in Southwest Baltimore  on Christmas Afternoon . I first went down to the boat launch with no water in the marsh there wasnt any waterfowl. As i headed back and stopped at the water opening again I was in awe again of the sudden appearance of the Ringnecked Pheasant . He sat on the left side of gravel road for about thirty seconds and then walked into the marsh grass . My brother who lives right up the street and is a hunter  says to go there before the rain and they will be everywhere. Maybe this is the reason for my second sighting in as many trips . Since it does nothing but rain these days. I guess its better than snow. Anyway after seeing the Pheasant i stopped at the ballfield to watch the scattering of 30 Crows on the ground . I think they found some trash to fight over . No Pied Crow here. Then i headed to the Playground and there it was by itself foraging on the ground just before you enter the parking
 area. I was able to get one far away photo with my nonworking camera. Come to find out i have to use Alkaline only batteries to make it work . He foraged for about five minutes as the other crows were gathering in a tree at the other side of the parking lot and then he joined them but not without a little harrassment . They then headed towards the city. I headed to Moms for dinner. 

Saundra Byrd 

baltimore