I decided to spend the day (January 15, 2009) birding.  I spent it
leisurely working my way south along the Patuxent from near Merkle to
Cedar Haven.  The highlight was an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER at Milltown
Landing.  Then, I stopped in Upper Marlboro on my way to Lake Artemesia
where I was scheduled to lead a late afternoon birdwalk (first and third
Thursday of every month, 3PM winter, 6PM summer).  Variety was good (60+
species) despite the strong winds and complete absence of finches.
Thanks to Mikey Lutmerding whom I ran into at both Schoolhouse and Depot
Ponds.  He was thoughtful enough *at both locations* to be observing a
Thayer's Gull when I arrived.

Also of note were a remarkable 12 Goldeneyes at Cedar Haven, 150 pipits
divided between Nottingham and Miltown Landing and hundreds of sparrows
of 8 species (Tree, Field, Savannah, Fox, Song, White-throated,
White-crowned, Junco).

I can usually find a few Chipping Sparrows in the winter in this part of
the county.  Surprisingly, I did not see any today despite their
relative abundance in the northern part of the county this winter.  I
know of about twenty individuals distributed between four locations
north of Route 50.

Dave

-- 
David Mozurkewich
Seabrook, PG MD