I was birding in Garrett County today from dawn until dusk on a long
circuitous route stopping to listen for crossbills at various spots.
I went from Frostburg to Barton to Mill Run, High Rock Fire Tower,
Westernport Road, up McAndrews Hill Road into New Germany.
Then down New Germany Road (to Poplar Lick), down Big Run Road, around
the reservoir, up Dry Run Road, down 419 to Glendale Road.
Then to Deep Creek lake via Sand Flat Rd and Boy Scout Road (?), back
out and out Mayhew Inn to Swallow Falls, Maple Dam to Cranesville (which
I don't recommend because its now a logging road).
Then I went down to Herrington Manor and to Oakland, then I took 135 up
Backbone Mtn. turning right into Deer Park to explore Lostland Run.
Then back up through Kitzmiller to spend the afternoon at the top of
Mill Run again (whew my car is tired).
The birding was a little bit slow compared to the whirlwind of birds on
the OC count this past weekend but the best birds were 3 White-winged
Crossbills at the Poplar Lick ORV trail head.
This was around 9:20 am. This is a pull-off on New Germany Road south
of New Germany State Park and north of Fairview Road. The birds were in
a small group of trees across New Germany Road made up of spruce and
hemlock.
I heard them calling from across the road and when I got out of my car
to get a better look I saw them flew away towards the south.
I also had 2 Ruffed Grouse displaying at Russell Road at about 8:30 am.
! What were they thinking ?
I checked several more spots (with no luck) that had Crossbills during
the Oakland Count such as Cranesville Swamp, Herrington Manor State
Park, Swallow Falls State Park, Glades Town Park. I checked behind the
Credit Union across from Wal Mart on Rt. 219 and some interesting spruce
trees near the graveyard in downtown Oakland before birding at Broadford
Lake where I had:
Hooded Mergansers 2
Mallards 4
Canada Geese 325
I had a Red-breasted Nuthatch near Cranesville Swamp
I had 20 Wild Turkey along Dry Run Road (near Savage River Reservoir)
I had a Northern Harrier and Ravens at Aaron Run Road.
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J. B. Churchill
Frostburg, Maryland
webpage: http://photos.jbchurchill.com/
webpage: http://www.westernmdbirding.com/ |