I went out this afternoon looking for WW Crossbills in a couple areas around Upper Marlboro with mature spruces, etc.  I looked at some nice trees with lots of cones for about an hour, but as expected I found none.  I have also been watching the few matures cone-heavy spruces and hemlocks in my neighborhood but had no luck here either.  I am encouraged by the widespread reports and will keep trying.

To my surprise, this evening while doing some barn chores a group of chunky birds in a red maple caught my eye, and when I looked with the bins it turned out to be 6 Purple Finches (1 Male and 5 brown ones).  This is the most we have had here at one time!

Tomorrow I am heading out for a while to the eastern shore in hopes of whatever is exciting bird-wise.  I may head for Ocean City early to look around the inlet etc., then on the way home have a look around Cambridge for the SNOW, and maybe try for the Northern Shrike seen earlier last week.

If anyone is out tomorrow morning in these areas and finds anything exceptional, I would appreciate a call at 301-580-4524 (thanks!)

Cheers!
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD