Thanks, Ostrowski bros. for notifying the listserve re: Ross' Goose!  I
rarely leave work for a life bird (there aren't that many on the P.G.
Co. list but this has been a nemesis bird) but this one was so close and
recently sighted that it was a no-brainer.  Since I bike to work I had
to borrow a car from a colleague and in the haste I forgot my binoculars
in my bike panniers!  Thanks to Robert and his scope I got great views
of these little guys and a CACKLING GOOSE that Robert pointed out.
Thanks, Robert! 

Robert and I were talking about Beltsville Ag Research Center (BARC) as
a good place to bird and that there are often kestrels there.  So, it
was with some consternation that as I was leaving I saw a falcon-like
form at the top of a tree across from the Metro tracks and therefore
backlit.  Being binocular-less, I wasn't sure what it was.  Being very
lucky, I got a great look at it as it flew from its perch to within
maybe 50 feet of me, making the identification of the MERLIN easy. That
is the second merlin in as many years that I have seen along the Paint
Branch Trail.  Last year's was closer to Hyattsville.

So, now I am almost 2 more hours behind on my work but it was worth it!

BTW, I will be doing a bird walk at BARC on March 1, 10 am to noon.
Possible highlights include a marsh wren that was present during the PG
Co mid-winter count and water pipits that I have seen twice in the last
few weeks on the bike ride to work.  If you are interested in attending
this walk, please contact me at  as I have not
yet finalized the meeting point.  Thanks.

Michel


-------------------------------------------
Michel A. Cavigelli
Research Soil Scientist
Sustainable Agricultural Systems Lab
Animal and Natural Resources Institute
Bldg 001, Rm 140
BARC-West
10300 Baltimore Ave.
Beltsville, MD 20705
 
301-504-8327 office
240-304-9480 cell
301-504-8370 fax
------------------------------------------- 
-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Dan haas
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 3:51 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Ross's Goose at Lake Artemesia

Mike et all,

I didn't know Chris and Robert were on 'phoning' terms!  Chris's
Golden Eagle at Jug Bay recently, and now these two Ross' Goose
sightings...  I'm going to ask Chris to be on his speed dial.

I couldn't resist making the trip to Lake Artemesia. While I was
there, I spotted a HOUSE WREN in the brush between the two lakes.  The
ROSS' GEESE were in relatively close to the shore, offering excellent
views in the afternoon sun.

Good Birding,

-Dan

On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 2:07 PM, Michael Ostrowski <>
wrote:
> Hi again,
>   I'd like to add that Robert was alerted to the presence of the
Ross's Goose by Chris Murray.
>
> Mike Ostrowski
> North Bethesda, MD
> 
>