Hi Everyone,

I made a short visit to Fort Smallwood this morning and found a nice collection of finches. Although no redpolls or crossbills were detected, I'll be checking again over the next few days. Some highlights:

Canada Goose--25
Mallard--38
Greater Scaup--300
Greater/Lesser Scaup--100
Bufflehead--30
Hooded Merganser--4
Killdeer--1
Belted Kingfisher--1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker--1
American Pipit--1; flyover, calling
Common Grackle (Purple)--500
Common Grackle (Bronzed)--1; one seen well in the large grackle flock
Common Grackle--300
Purple Finch--2; flovers, calling
Pine Siskin--22; 15 flew over in one flock, 7 feeding on the ground in the pine grove
American Goldfinch--7

Yesterday at dusk (12/26), I photographed an apparent ROSS'S GOOSE just south of Easton on Route 50. It was on the west side of the road in a large flock of Canada Geese just north of Rte 322. It seemed slightly larger than our average Ross's, but structure (head and bill) appear good. The flock was feeding close to the road, so viewing should be decent if it continues. 

I also had a flyby PINE SISKIN while stopped at the Rte 50 bridge (and fishing pier) at the Choptank River in Talbot Co. yesterday. 

Good birding!

Bill

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com