My wife Colleen and I headed out to New Germany State Park this afternoon to
hike in the freshly fallen snow and look for some crossbills. The hiking was
great as we found a variety of mammal tracks including black bear and
weasel. We were also greeted by COMMON RAVENS, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES,
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, BROWN CREEPERS, and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHS. (Yes,
the common birds matter too.) However, the birding highlight was found amid
the spruces just behind the park headquarters, where we found a single adult
female WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL perched high atop a spruce. She cooperated
very nicely, and gave us extended scope views. The European larches and
White spruces at the park have substantial cone crops and I suspect there
are probably more than just that single female around. Not to mention New
Germany is GORGEOUS in the snow! What a lovely way to begin the New Year.


Happy New Year!

David

-- 
David Yeany II
Graduate Assistant
207 Compton Science Center
Department of Biology
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD 21532
Office: 301-687-7080