I didn't peek outside until late today - about 1 PM - when I left with 2  
kids and 2 brittany spaniels in tow to head out to Wye Island for an hour or so. 
 
I immediately saw my first 2009 birds across the street from my  house:  a 
flock (coven?) of 13 BLACK VULTURES.  I thought at first  they were viewing my 
front door, but it was more likely the church/cemetary that  sits behind the 
houses across the street.  (Ewww).   
 
Wye Island - 
Despite the puppies and kids, I did see a few decent birds.  The  highlights 
were:
 
Kestrel, hunting from a overhead wire alongside the road leading to the  
NWRA.  He was very active, flying from wire to tree and back again.   For a short 
while the flew alongside the car - I was driving 30 mph and he was  going 
faster. 
 
Barred Owl - seen, not heard.  A life bird for me, to actually see one  in 
the wild.  
 
Joanne
 
Joanne Howl, DVM
West River, MD
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